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1999 05 27 HPC/ T LOU TA F OZ QQQQQ4 CF`y OF THtV HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA The Regularly Meeting to be held in the Session Room at the La Quinta City Hall, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California May 27, 1999 3:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER A. Pledge of Allegiance B. Roll Call II. PUBLIC COMMENT This is the time set aside for citizens to address the Historical Preservation Commission on matters relating to historic resources within the City of La Quinta which are not Agenda items. When addressing the Historical Commission, please state your name and address and when discussing matters pertaining to prehistoric sites, do not disclose the exact location of the site(s) for their protection. III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. Approval of the regular Minutes for the meeting of April 15, 1999 V. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. Phase I and Phase II Cultural Resource Assessment for a Proposed Lake Expansion located on the west side of Washington Street, south of Eisenhower Drive, within the La Quinta Country Club, by Archaeological Advisory Group -Mr. James Brock and Brenda D. Smith. B. Phase II Test Excavation Report for pronerty owned by the City's Redevelopment Agency located at the northeast corner of 48h Avenue and Jefferson Street, by Archaeological Advisory Group -Mr. James Brock and Brenda D. Smith. C. Cultural Resources Guidelines: Curation of Archaeological Resources VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL: VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS VIII. ADJOURNMENT nPCAGENDA MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING A regular meeting held at the La Quinta City Hall Session Room 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA APRIL 15, 1999 This meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission was called to order by Chairman Robert Wright at 3:30 p.m. who led the flag salute and asked for the roll call. I. CALL TO ORDER A. Pledge of Allegiance. B. Roll Call. Present: Commissioners Irwin, Mitchell, Puente, Vossler, and Chairman Wright. Staff Present: Planning Manager Christine di Iorio, Principal Planner Stan Sawa, and Executive Secretary Betty Sawyer. II. PUBLIC COMMENT: A. Commissioner Irwin introduced Louise Neeley, Chairman of Docents for the La Quinta Historical Society who would be leading the Point Happy Ranch tour. III. CONFIRMATION OF THE AGENDA: Confirmed. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR: A. It was then moved and seconded by Commissioners Irwin/Puente to approve the Minutes of March 18, 1999, as submitted. Unanimously approved. V. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Environmental Assessment 98-3757 Archaeological Assessment of Tentative Tract Man 29053, 1. Principal Planner Stan Sawa presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. P:\CAROLYN\HPC4-25-99.wpd - I - -- 002 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 15, 1999 2. Commissioner Mitchell asked if this was the same project he had commented on previously as this report did not identify the type of bone discovered, nor the raw lithic material present. It was his opinion this was not a complete archaeological report. He recommended that his comments from the previous project be included with this report. 3. Staff stated this was an interim report and staff would include Commissioner Mitchell's comments. 4. Commissioner Mitchell stated his concern was that the report recommended all the sites be found not eligible for National Register, or were not significant in terms of CEQA criteria which he did not disagree with, but any bone found should be identified as to bird, mammal, or fish and noted in the report. 5. Planning Manager di Iorio informed the Commission this report was in reference to the residential site as opposed to Phase I for the commercial site and she would inform Mr. Love, the archaeological consultant, that those points needed to be clarified before the report was submitted to the City Council for the certification of the Environmental Assessment on May 18" if approved by the Planning Commission. 6. There being no further questions, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Puente/Vossler to adopt Minute Motion 99-013 accepting staf 's recommendations with the inclusion of Commissioner Mitchell's comments. Unanimously approved. B. Certified Local Government Grant Proposal for 1999. Planning Manager di Iorio presented the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. 2. Commissioner Irwin asked if there were any changes from last year's proposal? Planning Manager di Iorio replied it was the same. 3. Staff informed the Commissioners that if any changes to their resumes was needed they be made and returned to staff as soon as possible. 4. Planning Manager di Iorio stated the proposal would be submitted to the City Council on May 4, 1999, and if approved, sent to the State immediately. 5. There being no further comments, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Irwin/Puente to approve Minute Motion 99-014 recommending the Grant Proposal be sent to the Council for approval of the application. Unanimously approved. P:\CAROLYN\HPC4-25-99.wpd -2003 - Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 15, 1999 VI. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL A. Chairman Wright informed the Commission of a newspaper article written on the Kemper Estate which he understood had been torn down. Discussion followed regarding the City's Historical Survey and the historic sites that would be saved from this type of unnecessary destruction. B. Commissioner Irwin stated she had received a call from a resident who was looking to purchase a house in La Quinta and wanted to know if it had been declared historical as the advertisement for sale of the house stated it was. Commissioner Irwin had contacted staff to see if it was listed on the City's registry and was told it was not. The property encompasses three lots with what appeared to be a stage in the yard. Commissioner Irwin wanted to know what the official procedure was for checking historical sites. Would someone from the City inspect them? Planning Manager di Iorio replied they would, but if the integrity is gone, then the house would not be included in the City's Historical Register. Commissioner Irwin asked who was to be contacted when these calls were received? Planning Manager di Iorio replied she would receive the calls and go out to look at the properties, checking for age, historical integrity and so on. Chairman Wright asked if there was any way that the Commissioners could get packets of the Historical Registry. Planning Manager di Iorio stated staff would see that each Commissioner received a copy. VII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS: A. Planning Manager di Iorio told the Commission she had met with Roberta Dearing, Executive Director of the Preservation Foundation, for the Gala Event. She had been informed that this years' event would be held at the La Quinta Hotel on Saturday night of the Conference. Commissioner Irwin stated she had not received any information and wanted to know if they were planning on having a book store. Planning Manager di Iorio stated she was unsure, but would speak to Ms. Dearing. B. Chairman Wright asked about the Conference fees. Planning Manager di Iorio replied the City had budgeted for the Commission's registration. She also asked the Commissioners to advise staff, as soon as possible, if they would be attending and which events they would be participating in so the City could mail the application forms. C. Chairman Wright recessed the meeting, at 4:00 p.m., as the Commissioners would be taking a tour of the Point Happy Ranch conducted by Louise Neeley. Ms. Neeley then gave the Commissioners background information on the Ranch before departing. 004 P:\CAROLYN\HPC4-25-99.wpd -3- Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 15, 1999 VIII. ADJOURNMENT After, the tour, there being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Irwin /Wright to adjourn this meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission on May 20, 1999. This meeting of the Historical Preservation Commission was adjourned at 5:35 p.m. April 15, 1999. Unanimously approved. Su�Titted by: 4xety WeS taryry 005 P:\CAROLYN\HPC4-25-99.wpd -4- ITEM #A HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT DATE: MAY 27, 1999 ITEM: PHASE I AND PHASE II CULTURAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT FOR A PROPOSED LAKE EXPANSION LOCATION: WEST SIDE OF WASHINGTON STREET, SOUTH OF EISENHOWER DRIVE, IN THE LA QUINTA COUNTRY CLUB CONSULTANT: ARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVISORY GROUP (JAMES BROCK AND BRENDA D. SMITH) BACKGROUND: The property is a part of the golf course area of La Quinta Country Club Country Club. The course owners are going to expand a small, man-made lake which was constructed in the late 1950's. This assessment was conducted in order to comply with the City's cultural resource requirements for development projects. An archaeological records search indicated that CA-RIV-151, a purported Cahuilla village (Kotevewit) is partially located in the La Quinta Country Club area of the proposed lake expansion. DISCUSSION: Eleven test trenches were excavated in the area potentially affected by the proposed project. With the exception of one trench that produced two baked clay fragments and one piece of unidentified shell, the test program was negative. As a result, Locus A, CA-RIV-151 can not qualify as significant or unique under either Federal or State of California criteria. However, it is recommended that if cultural materials are unearthed during expansion of the lake, work be in the vicinity of the find be halted, and the City be notified immediately so that a consulting archaeologist may be sent to the site to evaluate the find and give further recommendations. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Minute Motion 99-_, accepting the report titled, "Phase I and Phase II Cultural Resource Assessment for a Proposed Lake Expansion at La Quinta Country Club. City of La Quinta. California", as prepared by Archaeological Advisory Group. C:hpc rpt Iq cc.wpd '"' 006 Attachment: Report on "Phase I and Phase II Cultural Resource Assessment for a Proposed Lake Expansion at La Quinta Country Club, City of La Quinta. California" (Commissioners only) Prepared by: b, SSG, Stan B. Sawa, Principal Planner Submitted by: Christine di loriol Planning Manager C:hpc rpt Iq cc.wpd ". • 007 Phase I and II Cultural Resource Assessment for a Proposed Lake Expansion at La Quinta Country Club, City of La Quinta, California Prepared for: La Quinta Country Club 77750 50a' Avenue La Quinta, CA 92253 Submitted to: City of La Quinta 78-495 Calle Tampico La Quinta, CA 92253 Prepared by: James Brock and Brenda D. Smith May 1999 USGS 7.5' Quadrangle: La Quinta Acreage: Approx. I Key Words: La Quinta, CA-RIV-151 AAG Job Number: 990304 P.O. BOX 491, PIONEERTOWN, CA 92268-0491 Tel: (760) 228-1142 o Fax: (760) 369-4002 E-mail: archadvgrp(Jaol.com 008 MANAGEMENT SUMMARY This report presents the results of a Phase I (survey) and Phase II (backhoe test excavation) program conducted for a proposed golf course lake expansion at the La Quinta Country Club in the City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California. Specifically the study was intended to see whether Locus A of archaeological site CA-RIV-151, previously recorded as falling within the project area, was still archaeologically evident. Eleven test trenches were excavated in the area to be potentially affected by the proposed project. With the exception of one trench that produced very minimal evidence of cultural activity, the test program was negative. It appears therefore that Locus A of CA-RIV-151 has little ability to address the research questions proposed in the Research Design and consequently is evaluated as ineligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places and as non -unique by California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) standards. It is recommended that no further archaeological investigation take place at this portion of CA-RIV-151 unless cultural materials are unearthed during construction activities. In such a case, work should be halted in the vicinity of the find and the City of La Quinta must be notified immediately for further consultation. This procedure is necessary for protection of archaeological remains and is in the best interest of the client as disturbance to cultural materials, particularly those in association with burial remains, can be unlawful and subject to penalties. INTRODUCTION This reports presents the findings of a Phase I and H (survey, test excavation) cultural resources study for Locus A of archaeological site CA-RIV-151. The site is a purported Cahuilla village (Kotevewit) and is partially located on the La Quinta County Club within the City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California (Figures 1 and 2). This study was conducted in advance of disturbance to the site by expansion of a small, man-made lake that was constructed on the country club's golf course during the late 1950s. Figures 3 and 4 show general views of the study area with work in progress. 009 Figure 1. General location of the project area plotted on a portion of the USGS 1:250,000 Western United States Series Santa Ana, California map (1959, revised 1979). 2 010 0 Feet 2500 ew Qfer 0 0 Meters 1000 0 0 BM 72.. 'A ..ii � it/(� I I ��� I•:� '�J - J�l� 30 J sse, 60 � illl I a Well STUDY AREA We _ _ = n .._ A] �o eM _38 Figure 2. Specific location of the lake expansion project plotted on a portion of the USGS 7.5' La Quinta, California topographic quadrangle (1959, photorevised 1980). oil 3 r ` �= - � , aa= � ', �. � I, � . ,. � r. . � � � ......��,. �.:��.;.,f The location of CA-RIV-151 was revealed during the archaeological records search conducted prior to the fieldwork investigation. The fieldwork portion of the study comprised an initial reconnaissance and subsequent test trenching excavation of the area potentially effected by the lake expansion. Additionally, mapping of the test trenches and sampling of the excavated soils were conducted. A detailed analysis of the recovered data is presented herewith. The project was conducted by Archaeological Advisory Group for the La Quinta Country Club and was undertaken in compliance with the City of La Quinta's cultural resource requirements for development projects. These requirements are intended to fulfill those aspects of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (as amended) which pertain to the management of cultural resources that may be impacted by development projects sponsored by skate or local government agencies, or by private developments requiring a discretionary permit or license. This report was prepared in accordance with the recommended contents and format described in the State's Preservation Planning Bulletin Number 4(a) (California Department of Parks and Recreation 1989). The Principal Investigator for this study was James Brock, RPA. The field crew consisted of Mr. Brock, William A. "Tony" Sawyer, and Brenda D. Smith. Laboratory work was conducted by ]Brenda D. Smith. The qualifications of these individuals are given in Appendix 1. Field notes and other materials pertaining to this study are on file with Archaeological Advisory Group (AAG Job No. 990304). Curation of the artifacts/ecofacts collected during this study will be the responsibility of the City of La Quinta. SETTING NATURAL SETTING CA-RIV-151 is located in the City of La Quinta, in the Coachella Valley area of Riverside County, California (Figures 1 and 2). The study area lies within the northwestern quarter of Section 31 of Township 5 South, Range 7 East, SBBM and can be found on the USGS 7.5' La Quinta, California topographic quadrangle sheet (Figure 2). A portion of CA-RIV- 151 purportably lies within the confines of the La Quinta Country Club also noted on the topographic quadrangle (Figure 2). Construction ofthe golf course in the 1950s dramatically changed the natural setting of the area. The study area was graded during construction activities and consequently the original topography is unknown. Presumably this area was a sand dune field, much like those that characterize undeveloped areas of the region. Analysis of excavated soils revealed that the soil typically comprises mottled clays and silts. 5 013 The natural elevation of the site is approximately 60 feet above mean seal level (amsl). The nearest natural source of water is Bear Creek drainage which, severely channelized, now flows south to north approximately one mile southwest of the project area. The study area would have been located less than 0.5 mile above an embayment area of Ancient Lake Cahuilla (its modern vestige is the Salton Sea) during its last high stand. This final stand is estimated to have been about 42 feet amsl (12.8 meters). The last stand is believed to have occurred during the 1600s. Native vegetation in the area has been largely eliminated. Presumably, vegetation would have comprised a Creosote Scrub community, containing creosotes (Larrea tridentata), mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), burrobush (Ambrosia dumosa) and other stickery scrubs, such as dicoria (Dicoria canescens). Animal species typically encountered in the area include cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii), jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), pack rat (Neoloma sp.), pocket mouse (Perognathus sp.), coyote (Canis latrans), scorpion (Hadrurus spp.), Western Shovel -nosed Snake (Chionactic occipitalis), Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes), Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis), Side -blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana), Loggerhead Shrike (Lanus ludovicianus), Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya), Gambel's Quail (Callipepla gambelii), Common Raven (Corvus corax), Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna), Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo lineatus), Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis), and American Kestrel (Falco sparerius). CA-RIV-151 :falls within the Lower Sonoran Life Zone, as does approximately 60% of Cahuilla territory (Bean and Saubel 1972:12). This zone extends from the desert floor to the pinyon -juniper belt (about 3,500 feet). The Coachella Valley, due to it placement on the eastern side of the Peninsular ranges, is blocked from receiving moisture moving eastward from. the Pacific. This blockade results in low rainfall of generally less than 5 inches of precipitation annually. Not only does this region have little rainfall, but it is also one of the hottest deserts on the continent, having a mean maximum temperature in July that easily exceeds 100' (Bailey 1966:42). CULTURAL SETTING While the regional ethnography of the study area is fairly well accounted for, its precontact history is poorly understood. Archaeologists have struggled for years to put together comprehensive chronologies for what is referred to as the Prehistoric Period (time preceding contact with Europeans) of Native American history. The sequence of Prehistoric habitation presented here is based primarily on the concordance of sequences presented by Warren (1984) and Warren and Crabtree (1986). Warren's timeframe divisions were based on technological changes in lithic use (i.e. millingstones and projectile points). His model was originally devised for the Mojave desert region, but because of basic technological similarities in southern California Indian cultures it is also applicable to the Colorado desert peoples. .... , 014 e Lake Mojave Period This period probably represents the earliest phase of human occupation in southern California. It began by at least 10,000 B.C. and lasted until around 5000 B.C. This period is characterized by hunting of larger games animals using spears and articulated spear - throwing devices termed "atlatls." Spear points of this period initially were quite large, lanceolate in shape, and were oftentimes fluted, having a longitudinal groove along the central portion of the body for attachment to a spear. Other projectile points such as Lake Mojave, Parman, and Silver Lake points, were somewhat smaller (though still large in comparison to later arrow points) and foliate in shape. Crescents, specialized scrapers, leaf -shaped knives, drills, and some choppers/hammerstones are other tools which have been identified with this period. Millingstones typically are not present. The artifact assemblage of this period is indicative of a generalized hunting and gathering subsistence economy. Archaeological. sites from early on in this period were generally associated with Pleistocene lake shorelines. As the Altithermal (a warmer and drier climatic period that lasted from 6000 B.C. to 900B.C.) set in, sites began to concentrate around desert oases, away from receding lakes that were becoming too brackish for consumption. This movement likely spawned the technological change that would lead to the Pinto Basin complex. Pinto Period The Pinto Period dates from around 5000 to 2000 B.C., corresponding roughly to the Millingstone Horizon in the coastal areas of California. Although desert and coastal peoples shared cultural traits during this period, desert peoples probably did not have the same dependence on millingstones as coastal peoples. Seed grinding does not appear to be an important economic activity yet to the peoples of this period, but the presence of flat slab and occasionally shallow -basin metates along with manos, indicates growing importance that plant seed resources were beginning to have. Presumably these peoples were still maintaining a large and small game hunting and vegetal gathering economy during this period. Pinto points, as defined by Campbell and Campbell (1935), are the distinctive lithiics of this period. These are usually found in association with heavy -keeled scrapers, and millingstones. Pinto Basin complex sites are generally found in association with ephemeral lakes, stream channels, and springs, which to some suggests a break in the Altithermal warming. Presumably there was a reoccupation of lakeshore areas around 4500 B.C. and then a retreat back to desert oases by 3500 B.C. This time period is known as the Little Pluvial. Gypsum Period The Gypsum Period is believed to date from around 2000 B.C. to about A.D. 500. Again, primary artifacts indicative of this period are projectile points of various types, including Gypsum Cave, Humbolt series, and Elko series points. The early Gypsum period is 7 characterized by larger projectile points when use of the dart and atlad were still common. Later, with the introduction of the bow and arrow, smaller points become prominent. Manos and metates become more common, and the mortar and pestle come into use -- indicating a developing reliance upon fleshier seed foods such as mesquite pods and acorns. Presence of Haliotis and Olivella shell beads in sites of this period provide the earliest evidence for contact between desert and coastal peoples. Saratoga Springs Period The Saratoga Springs Period lasts from about A.D. 500 to 1200. During this period the southern desert region, in which the Coachella Valley lies, deviates from the rest of the desert region due to heavy cultural influence by the Hakataya, a lower Colorado River group. The Hakataya influence brings drastic technological change to the peoples of this region. BuffWare and Brownware pottery, made using the paddle and anvil technique, are introduced and reliance on the bow and arrow increases which leads to a new projectile point type called Cottonwood Triangular. Millingstones, including mans, metates, pestles, and mortars are present in this time period. Shoshonean Period The Shoshonean Period spans from A.D. 1200 to contact with Europeans. It is characterized mostly by continuing regional development, which causes groups to differentiate technologically, ethnographically, and linguistically. In the Coachella Valley region, Hakataya influence continues, with Colorado Buffware and Tizon Brownware still present. Desert Side -notched points have become the dominant point type. Proto-Contact Period Desert Cahuilla have inhabited the Coachella Valley region for at least the last 1000 years. They are a Takic speaking people who are more closely culturally tied with coastal and Colorado River groups than with most other Mojave desert peoples. First known contact with the Cahuilla by a European was during the Juan Bautista de Anza expedition in 1774- 1776. They were largely ignored by the Spanish until the establishment of the Asistencias San Antonio de Pala (1816), Santa Ysabel (1818), and San Bernardino (1830). Through these mission outposts the Spanish managed to indirectly influence Cahuilla religious beliefs and culture. During the Mexican occupation of California, the Cahuilla were largely left alone by intruders. It was not until 1853 when the Southern Pacific Railroad began surveying the Coachella Valley for a possible railroad route that the Cahuilla were again bothered. By this point the lands inhabited by the Cahuilla had become desired by Americans. In response to this, President Ulysses S. Grant began allotting Cahuilla lands in 1875 to give to American settlers. It was during this period when the removal of the Cahuilla to government reservations began. Ten reservations were created that affected the Cahuilla; of these four are in the Coachella Valley. 9 Ethnography Many studies of Cahuilla culture have been conducted over the years. Among the most informative accounts are Bean (1972, 1978), Strong (1929), Hooper (1920), and Kroeber (1908). Four excellent ethnobiological studies also exist (Ebeling 1986, Barrows 1900, Kroeber 1925, and Bean and Saubel 1972), as well as archaeological accounts of prehistoric Cahuilla adaptations to the desiccation of ancient Lake Cahuilla (e.g. Wilke 1978). The Cahuilla are divided by anthropologists into three subgroups, the Desert Cahuilla of the Coachella Valley, the Pass Cahuilla of the San Gorgonio pass area, and the Mountain Cahuilla of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains. These divisions were based on geographic separation and dialect differences, but they were not necessarily recognized by the Cahuilla themselves. Actually, the Cahuilla did not consider themselves to be of one tribe as western anthropologists have designated them to be. Bean (1972:85) reported that "the maximal level of social identification among the Cahuilla was the ?ivi?lyu?atum, a linguistically and culturally defined group ... [which] refers to persons speaking the Cahuilla language and recognizing a commonly shared cultural heritage ... [but] a more precise membership criterion existed at the next level of group identity." A persons inclusion in his or her moiety and lineage (or clan) was primary to any tribal affiliation. The two moeities, or main divisions, of the Cahuilla were the Istam (coyote) and the Tuktum (wild cat). Moieties were patrilinear and exogamous, meaning that lineage was followed through the father and that members of one moiety had to marry into the other. Clans were numerous and were named after or associated with the villages they comprised. Individual clans claimed ownership over their village and the territories in which they hunted, gathered, and camped. Territories could be several square miles in extent and were only for the use of a specific lineage. Mesquite grove boundaries, for instance, were drawn to include specific trees. Everyone knew who those trees belong to so that if someone from another lineage was found trespassing, a fight could ensue. But in times of need, areas were shared with other clans. This allowance occurred regularly with mesquite because these groves do not produce bountiful crops each year. In the case of crop failure, a neighboring clan would invite the misfortunate person into their territory to gather. Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Some homesteaders were present in La Quinta as early as late last century, however the reap origins of modern La Quinta rest with the opening of the La Quinta Hotel in 1926 (Cooper 1976:40). This was a hotel and winter resort with a golf course. It was developed on part of 1400 acres owned by the Desert Development Company (Gunther 1984:286). The Cove area is the earliest residential subdivision in La Quinta, dating back to the 1930s. The little 100 by 50 foot lots typically sold for 300 to 700 dollars (Cooper 1976:41). Some of the oldest houses in La Quinta can be found in this area, which has never been fully built out. 9 017 Records, Literature, and Archaeological Background Information An archaeological records search was conducted of the study area and vicinity prior to fieldwork investigations. This search was conducted by Brenda D. Smith on March 12, 1999 at the Eastern Information Center of the California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS) at the University of California, Riverside. This records search indicated that Locus A of archaeological site CA-RIV-151 is located directly on the portion of the La Quinta Country Club at which expansion of a man-made lake is to be undertaken. CA-RIV-151 was originally recorded in March of 1960 as "An area [of several acres] of sherds, rock artifacts and a quarry rock" (Johnstone 1960). The site was also described as having "been gone over by collectors" (Johnstone 1960). In 1972, Gerrit Fenenga also recorded CA-RIV-151 (Fenenga 1972). Fenenga's recordation was limited to a portion of the site, designated Locus A. He described this portion as measuring 20 meters by 50 meters and containing rock and ceramic sherd scatters with some bone. Ethnographically, the village of Kotevewit has been recorded in the area designated as CA-RIV-151 and therefore, is probably one in the same. Sixteen other archaeological sites have been recorded within a one mile radius of the study area. Close to 50 percent of the area within this one mile radius has been previously surveyed for cultural resources. Of the previously recorded sites, five fall within one-half mile of the study area. These sites are all habitation sites typically containing ceramics, faunal material, lithics, and fire -affected rock and clay. Based on the presence of ceramics, most of the prehistoric/precontact sites within the one - mile radius appear to be relatively recent in date (post AD 500). Archival research was also conducted for the current project. Research entailed viewing Master Title Plat Maps and Historical Indexes at the Map Collections Room at the University of California, Riverside and the Bureau of Land Management Office also located in Riverside. The 1856 Plat Map showed no land patents within the northwestern quarter of Section 31. A road was located in the eastern half of the section. RESEARCH DESIGN INTRODUCTION A research design is a guide document to organize research and interpret findings. It provides a structure from which the evaluation of significance can be made. A research design is usually regional in scope and based on some type of statistically -based sampling program (see Binford 1964). A research design generally has the following elements: (1) .a theoretical orientation, (2) research areas, or domains, under which come (3) specific research hypotheses or questions which have (4) test implications for interpretation of field data. —- 018 10 THEORETICAL ORIENTATION The theoretical orientation which structures this research design is cultural materialism. Cultural materialism assumes that decision making by people and groups is based upon economic considerations. It assumes that behavior, at least in the long term, is rational and therefore adaptive. It recognizes that people and groups have not and do not always behave in a rational manner but from the relatively gross temporal perspective of archaeology, such behavior is not statistically significant. RESEARCH DOMAINS The research domains, or topics, which will be considered are chronology, subsistence practices, settlement systems, and exchange systems. Discussions of these domains are provided below. Chronology Chronology is the backbone of archaeology. Establishing the sequence of cultural change through time is a fundamental concern in archaeology. Unless a site can be placed in a temporal context, its ability to address the evolution of a cultural system is seriously limited. Fortunately, datable material (e.g. charcoal) is relatively abundant on sites in the La Quinta area. Abundant Late Period sites are present in the La Quinta area. A major concern in La Quinta archaeology is establishing changes in Late Period settlement and subsistence patterns in relation to the changes in the water level of ancient Lake Cahuilla. Also, earlier sites are rare. Any data helping to establish an Archaic Period chronology for the area is extremely valuable. u Does the site contain sufficient material for absolute or relative dating? Test implications: presence of carbon in sufficient quantity to provide absolute dates, presence of temporally -sensitive artifact types. Y Is there any evidence for an Archaic Period use of the site? Test implications: absolute (e.g, carbon) date of pre -AD 900 or presence of artifacts (e.g. projectile points, beads) dated to pre -AD 900. Y Can the site be tied in to one or more of the postulated stands of ancient Lake Cahuilla (see e.g. Laylander 1997)? Test implication: absolute date(s) that corresponds to a postulated stand of Lake Cahuilla. 0 Is there any evidence for post -Lake Cahuilla use of the site? 11 019 Test implication: absolute or relative date of post -AD 1650, presence of historical artifacts. Subsistence Practices The presence of faunal remains, floral remains, and artifacts associated with food extraction and processing can provide valuable information on the subsistence practices of precontact Native Americans. Midden deposits can provide a good range of evidence for exploitation of faunal resources. Also, carbonized seeds from sites could provide evidence of early agricultural activities, which are suspected to have occurred in the region but, as yet, lack archaeological evidence. Reconstruction of ceramic vessel forms and the types of ground stone implements present could provide information on the types of resources being exploited by the site's inhabitants. Is there evidence of a change in subsistence strategies at the site, particularly ones relating to the desiccation of Lake Cahuilla? Test implication: change in frequencies of particular faunal or floral species in stratigraphically discrete contexts dating to the last stand and later periods. Is there evidence of agriculture? If so, does it relate to changing subsistence practices forced by the desiccation of Lake Cahuilla? Is there evidence of what, if any, subsistence activity(ies) was being engaged in at the site? Settlement Systems Information on settlement patterns should be present in the information from the site. Data may present evidence of changing settlement patterns with the different lacustral episodes of Lake Cahuilla and those caused by the final desiccation of the lake. • Does the site indicate settlement associated with the exploitation of Lake Cahuilla resources? • Can settlement location be related to a particular stand of Ancient Lake Cahuilla? • Is there evidence of a change in settlement patterns pertaining to the desiccation of Lake Cahuilla? o Was shoreline occupation at Lake Cahuilla primarily seasonal or year round (Wilke 1978:14)? 020 12 Exchange Systems Patterns of exchange should be evidenced in artifactual material from the site. Such things as lithic types, ceramics, and beads present could indicate trade relations with other groups (e.g. Colorado River or coastal California). The following research questions have been developed to address this domain: • Are exotic resources present at the site? Do these represent direct procurement or exchange mechanisms? ■ Is there evolution through time in the types or quantities of non -local resources present? ■ Is the local catchment area sufficiently diverse in natural resources to discourage trade relations? ■ Is there evidence of the exchange of technologies or ideas, rather than material objects? METHODS FIELDWORK TECHNIQUES Sampling strategy for the project consisted of laying a 25-foot grid across the area to be potentially affected and systematically placing trenches in locations that would sufficiently sample the subsurface contents of the study area. The grid and trenches were aligned IM30' from true north to take into account the underground sprinkler system throughout the area. Test trenches were excavated using a backhoe with a 1 1/2-foot bucket. Excavated soils were sifted through a screen specifically designed to handle the larger and heavier soil loads of backhoe trench excavation. The screen mesh was 1/4'h-inch. Types of soils were noted during trenching and soil samples were taken. LABORATORY TECHNIQUES Laboratory work consisted of the cleaning, sorting, cataloging, and analysis of the recovered specimens. Due to the limited number of artifacts collected, a table of finds was utilized as an artifact catalog (Table 1). Specimens from the site were put into archival bags and marked with the California state trinomial (CA-RIV-151), catalog number, and provenience data. Catalog numbers are five digits. The first two numbers denote the material/analysis category: CA (charcoal), CL (baked clay), and SH (shell). 13 FINDINGS FIELDWORK DETAILS AND GENERAL FINDINGS Fieldwork for the test excavation portion of the project was conducted on 22 March 1999. The field crew consisted of James Brock, William A. Sawyer, and Brenda D. Smith. A detailed map of the study area showing locations of test trenches is presented as Figure 5. Photographs of work in progress are shown as Figures 3 and 4 above. No features were located on either the ground surface or in the excavation units. TRENCH DESCRIPTIONS Eleven trenches were excavated at the site (see Figure 5). These were dug approximately 2 meters deep by 45 centimeters wide by 2 meters long. Stratigraphy across the site was generally the same, consisting of top soil from 0 to 10 centimeters and mottled clays and silts below 10 centimeters. Trench 6 was the only trench to produce cultural materials. These materials consisted of two baked clay fragments and one piece of unidentified shell. Trench 10 contained one piece of non -diagnostic glass (not collected) and two charcoal fragments. ANALYSIS OF RECOVERED MATERIAL A total of 2.1 grams of cultural material came from Locus A, CA-RIV-151. Of this 2.0 grams comprised tabular baked clay fragments and a piece of unidentified shell weighed 0.1 gram. Another 2.7 grams of carbonized material was recovered, but this could not conclusively be associated with cultural activity. Collected finds are presented in Table I below. Catalog number Location Description Count Weight CA-001 Trench 10 charcoal 2 2.7 grams CL-001 Trench 6 baked clay, tabular 2 2.0 grams SH-001 Trench 6 unidentified 1 0.1 gram Table 1. Summary of finds collected from Locus A, CA-RIV-151. 14 022 4 La Quinta Country Club p l Proposed Lake Expansion yr N Locations of Backhoe Trenches r`! It 11 0 Feet 100 �r 0. Meters 30 11 11 Trench 6 ! ! ♦ I r\ Trench 4 Trench 3. _ Trench 5 !' CUP (Datum) 1!/ \ / 'Trench 2 I , ♦ 1 / Trench 1S - _ Trench 1 /1 r r 11 1 r ! I! I z- 11 It Existing Lake l I I t 12th Hole r .Trench a - (! - ♦Trench 10 - 1 I r Trench T \ Trench 8 �r I it 16th Hole Proposed Itl New Lake / % , Figure 5. Ebsting and proposed lakes with locations of backhoe trenches indicated 023 15 DISC USSIONANTERPRETATION Unfortunately, previous disturbance to the area designated as Locus A, CA-RIV-151, has resulted in the loss of archaeological evidence for the site's presence at this specific locale. It is also possible that the original mapping of the site was erroneous and no substantial cultural deposit was ever present in the vicinity. Because of the lack of archaeological materials yielded at the study area, the potential for Locus A, CA-RIV-151 to provide significant research data is very limited. CHRONOLOGY CA-RIV-151 failed to produce material (e.g. carbon associated with cultural materials) that could provide an absolute date for the site. Trench 10 did yield some charcoal fragments, but these could not be conclusively related to any cultural activity. SUBSISTENCE PRACTICES Presence of baked clay fragments may indicate that subsistence activities did occur at this site. Smith and Brock (1999) in their discussion of nearby site CA-RIV-4754, presented the possibility that the Cahuilla used clay in the baking of small mammals and fish. Baking in this manner may have also occurred at Locus A, CA-RIV-151. SETTLEMENT SYSTEMS Locus A, CA-RIV-151 presented relatively no evidence for occupation of the site and therefore could not contribute any knowledge to settlement systems of the region. EXCHANGE SYSTEMS No information on exchange systems can be gleaned from the Locus A, CA-RIV-151 investigation. No diagnostic artifacts or exotic materials were recovered from the site. MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS SITE EVALUATION Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act a cultural resource can be regarded as potentially significant, and therefore potentially eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), if it meets one or more of the following criteria: A. Association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history. 16 0,)4 B. Association with the lives of persons significant in our past. C. Embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction. D. Have yielded or may be likely to yield information important in history or prehistory. Under CEQA an archaeological resource is significant if it meets one of the following criteria: (a) it is associated with an event or person of recognized significance in California or American history, or recognized scientific importance in prehistory; (b) it can provide information which is both of demonstrable public interest and useful in addressing scientifically consequential and reasonable archaeological research questions; (c) it has a special or particular quality such as oldest, best example, largest, or last surviving example of its kind; (d) it is at least 100 years old and possesses substantial stratigraphic integrity; or (e) it involves important research questions that historical research has shown can be answered only with archaeological methods. Additional criteria of significance is found in eligibility for the California Register of Historical Resources (CRHP), which is based upon the criteria used for Federal undertakings whereby resources are evaluated for their eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (see above). Based upon the results of this test program Locus A, CA-RIV-151 can not qualify as significant or unique under either Federal or State of California criteria. RECOMMENDATIONS The Phase II test excavation program resulted in sampling of the entire area potentially to be affected by expansion of the golf course lake that lies within the study area. It is possibly, although very unlikely, that significant resources could exist on the site and could be impacted by the construction activities proposed for the lake expansion. It is therefore recommended that during these construction activities, if any cultural materials are unearthed, work should be halted in the vicinity of the find and the City of La Quinta be notified immediately so that a consulting archaeologist may be sent to the site to evaluate the find and give further recommendations. This procedure is necessary for protection of archaeological remains and is in the best interest of the client, as disturbance to cultural materials, particularly those in association with burial remains, is unlawful and possibly subject to penalties. 17 REFERENCES CITED Bailey, Harry P. 1966 Weather of Southern California. California Natural History Guides 17. University of California Press, Berkeley. Barrows, David P. 1900 Ethno-botany of the Coacuilla Indians. University of Chicago Press, Chicago. Bean, Lowell John 1972 Mukat's People: The Cahuilla Indians of Southern California. University of California Press, Berkeley 1978 Cahuilla. In California, edited by Robert F. Heizer, pp. 575-587. Handbook of North American Indians, Vol. 8, William G. Sturtevant, general editor. Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. Bean, Lowell John, and Katherine Siva Saubel 1972 Temalpakh: Cahuilla Indian Knowledge and Usage of Plants. Malki Museum, Banning. Binford, Lewis R. 1964 A Consideration of Archaeological Research Design. American Antiquity 29:425-441. California Department of Parks and Recreation 1989 Archaeological Resource Management Reports (ARMR): Recommended Contents and Format. California Office of Historic Preservation, California Department of Parks and Recreation, Sacramento. Campbell, E.W.C., and W.H. Campbell 1935 The Pinto Basin Site: An Ancient Aboriginal Camping Ground in the California Desert. Southwest Museum Papers 9:1-51. Cooper, Madge E. 1976 La Quinta-The Gem of the Desert. In Heritage Tales of Coachella Valley, edited by Florence Powell, pp. 40-41. American Association of University Women, Palm Springs, California. Ebeling, Walter 1986 Handbook of Indian Foods and Fibers of Arid America. University of California Press, Berkeley, California Fenenga, Gerrit 1972 Site Record for CA-RIV-151A. On file at the Eastern Information Center, University of California, Riverside. 18 026 Gunther, Jane D. 1984 Riverside County, California, Place Names: Their Origins and Their Stories. Rubidoux Printing, Riverside, California. Hopper, Lucille 1920 The Cahuilla Indians. University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 16:316-379. Berkeley. Johnstons 1960 Site record for CA-RIV-151. On file at the Eastern Information Center, University of California, Riverside. Kroeber, A.J. 1908 Ethnography of the Cahuilla Indians. University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 8:29-68. Berkeley. 1925 Handbook of the Indians of California. 1976 reprint edition. Dover Publications, Inc., New York. Laylander, Don 1997 The Last Days of Lake Cahuilla's Final Stand. Pacific Coast Archaeological Society Quarterly 33 (1/2):1-138. Smith, Brenda D., and James Brock 1999 From Shoreline to Mesquite Dune: Changing Subsistence Strategies at CA- RIV-4754, La Quinta. Proceedings of the Society for California Archaeology (12):1-5. Strong, William Duncan 1929 Aboriginal Society in Southern California. University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 26:1-349. Berkeley. Warren, Claude N. 1984 The Desert Region. In California Archaeology, by Michael J. Moratto, pp. 339-430. Academic Press, New York. Warren, Claude N., and Robert H. Crabtree 1986 Prehistory of the Southwestern Area. In Great Basin, edited by Warren L. D'Azevedo, pp. 183-193. Handbook of North American Indians, Vol. 11, William C. Sturtevant, general editor. Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. 027 19 Wilke, Philip J. 1978 Late Prehistoric Human Ecology at Lake Cahuilla, Coachella Valley, California. Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility No. 38. University of California, Berkeley. APPENDIX 1: PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS James Brock (President/Chief Archaeologist) BA (Anthropology) UC Santa Barbara MA (Archaeology) University of Durham, Durham, England Registered Professional Archaeologist (ROPA Member) 19 years of experience as a Principal Investigator on cultural resource management projects throughout southern California William A. Sawyer (Senior Archaeologist) o BA (Anthropology) CSU Long Beach Graduate work, CSU Long Beach 20 years of cultural resource management experience throughout southern and central California Brenda D. Smith BS in Anthropology, UC Riverside MA candidate, Native American Studies Program, UCLA 8 years of cultural resource management experience in southern California 20 028 ITEM #B HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT DATE: MAY 27, 1999 ITEM: PHASE II TEST EXCAVATION REPORT FOR 50 ACRES LOCATION: NORTHEAST CORNER OF AVENUE 48 AND JEFFERSON STREET CONSULTANT: ARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVISORY GROUP (JAMES BROCK AND BRENDA D. SMITH) BACKGROUND: The 50 acre site is owned by the City and will be developed in the near future with a yet to be determined project. The report submitted presents the results of a Phase II test excavation program conducted for the property at the northeast corner of Avenue and Adams Street. The Phase II program was based on a 1992 Phase I field reconnaissance by Everson. That reconnaissance identified three prehistoric sites CA- RIV-4746, CA-RIV-4753, AND CA-RIV-4754) and one historic road/trail (CA-RIV- 4755H) on the property. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential significance of these previously recorded sites. In addition, because buried prehistoric sites were are known to exist in the vicinity, systematic backhoe trenching was conducted over the entire property. No new sites were identified during the investigation. The extent of the previously recorded sites were substantially modified and two new isolates were recorded. Remains of small mammals and fish were found during the excavations. Artifacts found included brownware ceramics, chipped stone scrapers, flakes, and debitage. Baked clay, imported, thermally -affected and unaltered rocks were also found. Three surface features were comprised of clusters of these rocks. The isolates comprised four sherds from one pot (Isolate 1) and the remnants of a prehistoric cremation interment (Isolate 2/coroners Case No. 98-6105). Isolate 2 consisted of approximately 40 burned bone fragments. These remains were identified as prehistoric human by the Riverside County Coroner's Office and given back to the ancestors of the deceased for burial. 029 C:hpc rpt ne corner 48`h&adams final DISCUSSION: The report concludes that with the exception of portions of CA-RIV-4754 that have been previously investigated and subsequently impacted (Loci A and B), none of the archaeological sites investigated qualify as significant under either the California Environmental Quality Act or Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The subject property may still contain potentially significant buried cultural resources, although due to the extent of this test program it is unlikely that such resources would be very large. There is also potential for finding additional subsurface prehistoric human cremations on the property. Therefore, archaeological monitoring during grading and other earth moving activities, including major (e.g. sewer) trenching is recommended when the property is developed. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Minute Motion 99-_, accepting the report titled, "Phase II Test Excavation for APN 649-036-030. Northeast Corner of Avenue 48 and Adams Street City of La Qulnta. California", as prepared by Archaeological Advisory Group, including the recommendation for archaeological monitoring of the development of the property. Attachment: 1. Report on Phase II Test Excavation for APN 649-036-030, Northeast Corner of Avenue 48 and Adams Street, City of La Quinta, California (Commissioners only) Prepared by: Stan B. Sawa, Principal Planner Submitted by: � nn, l Christine di lorio, Panning Manager C:hpc rpt ne corner 481"&adams final Phase II Test Excavation for APN 649-036-030, Northeast Corner of Avenue 48 and Adams Street, City of La Quinta, California Prepared for: City of La Quinta 78-495 Calle Tampico La Quinta, CA 92253 Prepared by: ^� James Brock and Brenda D. Smith March 1999 RONNIE USGS 7.5' Quadrangle: La Quinta Acreage: Approx. 50 Key Words: CA-RIV-4746, CA-RIV-4753, CA-RIV-4754, CA-RIV-4755H, Isolates, Cahuilla Indians, Ancient Lake Cahuilla P.O. BOX 491, PIONEERTOWN, CA 92268-0491 Tel: (760) 228-1142 ^ Fax: (760) 369-4002 E-mail: archadvgrpCuraol.com 031 Phase I1 Test Excavation for APN 649-036-030, Northeast Corner of Avenue 48 and Adams Street, City of La Quinta, California Prepared for: City of La Quinta 78-495 Calle Tampico La Quinta, CA 92253 Prepared by: James Brock and Brenda D. Smith Archaeological Advisory Group P.O. Box 491 Pioneertown, CA 92268-0491 (760) 228-1142 Table of Contents Listof Figures............................................................ Listof Tables............................................................. Management Summary ............................................. Introduction................................................................ Setting......................................................................... Natural Setting .............................................. Cultural Setting ............................................. Records and Literature Results ................. Research Design ....................................................... Methods...................................................................... Fieldwork Techniques.....................I......:.... Laboratory Techniques ............................... Findings...................................................................... Fieldwork Details and General Findings . Surface Collection and Mapping ............... Unit, Trench, and Feature Descriptions ... Analysis of Recovered Material ................. CA-RIV-4746.................................... CA-RIV-4753.................................... CA-RIV-4754, Locus C ..................I Isolate1............................................. Isolate2............................................. Discussion/Interpretation....................................... Consideration of Research Domains ........ eent ManagSite Evaluation rations••• ................................ Recommendations ........................................ Acknowledgements.................................................., References Cited ....................................................... Appendix 1: Personnel Qualifications .................. Appendix 2: Results of Radiocarbon Dating ...... Appendix 3: Faunal Analysis Report (Thomas A Appendix 4: Artifact/Ecofact Catalogs ................ Attachment A: Site and Isolate Locations (Restricted Information) ............................ ........................ . Wake, Ph.D.) Page 1 3 3 3 8 11 13 16 16 19 19 19 19 21 38 42 46 47 49 49 50 50 54 54 55 55 55 59 60 65 90 NA 333 ii 1. Z. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 2 21 2 2 2 25 2 2 List of Figures General location of study area ..................................... Specific location of study area ...................................... Staked grid system.......................................................... Example of blown out area ........................................... Blow outs at CA-RIV-4746........................................... CA-RIV-4746 blow outs, surface artifacts, features .. Mapof CA-RIV-4753..................................................... Mapof CA-RIV-4754..................................................... Viewof CA-RIV-4755H................................................ Backhoe trenching in progress .................................... Systematic backhoe trench grid .................................. Total backhoe trenches dug ........................................ Units dug at CA-RIV-4746.......................................... Strati of View of U t 7, CA-RIV 4 46474......................... View of Unit A at CA-RIV-4754 .............................. Plan of Feature 1, CA-RIV-4746 .............................. Plan of Feature 2, CA-RIV-4746 .............................. View of Feature 3, CA-RIV-4746 ............................. View of Feature 5, CA-RIV-4754 ............................. 2. Pressure flakes from CA-.RIV-4746 .......................... Chipped stone tools from CA-RIV-4746 ................. 4. Olivella barrel bead from CA-RIV-4746 ................. f CA RIV 4746 0. 3. 6. 8. Baked clay specimens rom - - ........................••••• Mano from Locus C, CA-RIV-4754......................................... 7. Brownware sherds (Isolate 1)................................................... CA-RIV-4746 surface vs. subsurface components ................. List of Tables Table 1. Summary of backhoe trench data Table 2. Summary of material recovered ... 034 Page 4 5 17 18 18 20 22 23 24 24 25 26 31 32 34 35 35 39 40 41 41 44 44 45 45 48 48 53 Page 27 42 iii MANAGEMENT SUMMARY This report presents the results of a Phase II test excavation program conducted for a 50-acre property located at the northeast corner of Avenue 48 and Adams Street in the City of La Quinta, California. An earlier Phase I field reconnaissance (Everson 1992) had identified three prehistoric archaeological sites (CA-RIV-4746, CA-RIV-4753, and CA-RIV-4754) and one historic road/trail (CA-RIV-4755H) on the property. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential significance of these previously recorded sites. In addition, because buried prehistoric sites were known to exist in the vicinity, systematic backhoe trenching was conducted over the entire property to look for such resources as well as to evaluate the subsurface extent of the previously identified sites. No new sites were identified during the investigation. The extents of the previously recorded sites were substantially modified and two isolates were recorded. The isolates comprised four sherds from one pot (Isolate 1) and the remnants of a prehistoric cremation interment (Isolate 2/Coroners Case No. 98- 6105). CA-RIV-4746, originally identified by its surface component, proved to have a buried component to the south of the recorded site area. This component extends to a depth of at least 1.5 meters and comprises evidence of light sporadic subsistence activities that took place over a period possibly extending from AD 880 to 1425, according to three radiocarbon dates. Subsistence activities were represented by the presence of faunal remains, with small mammals such as Botta's pocket gopher, Cottontail rabbit, and Antelope ground -squirrel being the dominant species represented. The presence of fish remains, predominately razorback suckers, indicates an association of the site with the ancient Lake Cahuilla. Desert tortoise remains are also present. Artifacts consist of small quantities of undiagnostic brownware ceramics and chipped stone scrapers, flakes, and debitage. Imported, thermally -affected and unaltered rocks were also present on the site. Three surface features were comprised of clusters of these rocks. 035 CA-RIV-4753 proved to be much smaller than originally recorded. It comprised a scatter of only three brownware sherds. A small mammal bone and a freshwater snail shell came from the top level of the one unit excavated on the site. It is likely that no subsurface cultural component is present. CA-RIV-4754, Locus C, was a light scatter of artifacts and ecofacts extending to the east of the previously investigated site which comprised Loci A and B (see Brock, Smith, and Wake 1999). Locus C produced a small quantity of material. One unidentified mammal bone fragment was collected from the surface. Artifacts comprised a mano, two ;ground stone fragments, a flake, and a number of pieces of tabular and globular clay. This study verified the remnants of CA-RIV-4755H, a simple dirt track running along the northern border of the study area. This road was present by 1941 according to the US Army Corps of Engineers 1941 15' Toro Peak quadrangle. With the exception of the portions of CA-RIV-4754 that have been previously investigated and subsequently impacted (Loci A and B), none of the archaeological sites investigated during this study qualify as significant under either the California Environmental Quality Act or Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The subject property may still contain potentially significance buried cultural resources, although given the extent of this test program it is unlikely that such resources would be very large in extent. There is also a good potential for finding additional prehistoric human cremations on the property during grading. Therefore, archaeological monitoring of rough grading and major (e.g. sewer) trenching is recommended during future development of the property. 036 2 INTRODUCTION This report presents the findings of a Phase II (test excavation) cultural resources study of a 50- acre parcel located near the corner of Avenue 48 and Adams Street, in the city of La Quinta, Riverside County, California (Figures 1 and 2). The study included investigations of the previously recorded sites of CA-RIV-4746, CA-RIV-4753, CA-RIV-4754 Locus C, CA-RIV- 4755H, and two newly recorded isolated finds. Fieldwork entailed backhoe excavation of 98 trenches, hand excavation of 20 test units, mapping of cultural deposits, and recordation and collection of surface artifacts. Data collected during this investigation is presented herewith. The project was conducted by Archaeological Advisory Group for the City of La Quinta and was undertaken in compliance with the City's own cultural resource requirements for development projects. These requirements are intended to fulfill those aspects of the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (as amended) which pertain to the management of cultural resources that may be impacted by development projects sponsored by state or local government agencies, or by private developments requiring a discretionary permit or license. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act may also be applicable. This report was prepared in accordance with the recommended contents and format described in the California State Preservation Planning Bulletin Number 4(a) (California Department of Parks and Recreation 1989). The Principal Investigator and Field Director fo this study was James Brock. The field crew consisted of Mr. Brock, Steven K. Dies„ William A. "Tony" Sawyer, and Brenda D. Smith. Ms. Smith also assisted with data analysis and preparation of this technical report. Qualifications of these individuals are presented in Appendix 1. All personnel met and exceed the Secretary of the Interior's and the California Department of Transportation's qualifications for their staffing level. Field notes and other materials pertaining to this study are on file with Archaeological Advisory Group (AAG Job No. 981114). Curation of the artifacts/ecofacts collected during the study will be the responsibility of the City of La Quinta. SETTING NATURAL SETTING The study area is a 50-acre parcel located within the City of La Quinta at the northeast corner of Avenue 48 and Adams Street in the Coachella Valley, Riverside County, California (Figures I and 2). 3 03 Figure 1. General location of thestudy area plotted on a portion of the USGS Western United States Series 1:250,000 Santa Ana, California map (1959, revised 1979). 4 033 \ ( \( � �j 2 VEN(/E�C.. I ':> MILES Cvoiam,_ 1\ 1 \� .. z fp cogFNFL<4 _ l) (, IrrailYi � f> 1� ! � - �] co •. l BM 72. ��� p �'.� '61' i 30.BM r so. STUDY A1,47 Trailer Park `j w Well I3I .'s 1 i' 11I L a 0 Feet 2500 —:- 0 Meters 1000 Figure 2. Specific location of the study area plotted on a portion of the USGS 7.5' La Quinta, California topographic quadrangle (1959, photorevised 1980). 039 5 The area falls within the southern half of the southwestern quarter of Section 29 of Township 5 South, Range 7 East, SBBM, as shown on the USGS 7.5' La Quinta, California topographic quadrangle sheet (Figure 2). Study area elevations average 60 feet above mean sea level (amsl). The project area lies within rolling, semi -stable sand dunes containing intermittent blowouts. This type of landform is typical of the remnant shoreline of Ancient Lake Cahuilla, a large lake that once occupied the basin to the south and east of the project area. Soil of this area comprises a gray -tan aeolian sand that ranges from loose to well compacted. Formation of the study area's natural setting was much like that of the nearby Myoma Dunes investigated by Wilke (1978). Production of sand dunes oftentimes occurs as a result of deposition of aeolian sand around and near stands of vegetation. Because many vegetation stands, particularly mesquite thickets, grew near the shoreline of Ancient Lake Cahuilla, sand dune fields were commonly located marginal to the lakeshore. Native vegetation of the study area comprises a Creosote Scrub community. Plants typical of this community are creosote (Larrea tridentata), mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), burrobush (Ambrosia dumosa), and dicoria (Dicoria canescens). Schismus barbatus, an evasive, non-native grass, is also common on contemporary sand dunes. Animal species of the area include cottontail (Syvilagus au&ibonii), jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), woodrat (Neotoma spp.), pocket mouse (Perognathus spp.), coyote (Canis latrans), scorpion (Hadrurus spp.), Western Shovel -nosed Snake (Chionactic occipitalis), Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes), Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis), Side -blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana), Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), Say's Phoebe (Sayornis &Va), Gambel's Quail (Callipepla gambelii), Common Raven (Corvus corax), Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna), Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo lineatus), Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis), and American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). The study area falls within the Lower Sonoran Life Zone, as does approximately 60% of Cahuilla territory (Bean and Saubel 1972:12). This zone extends from the desert floor (below sea level) to the pinyon -juniper belt (about 3,500 feet amsl). The Coachella Valley, due to its placement on the eastern side of the Peninsular ranges (San Jacintos and Santa Rosas), is blocked from receiving moisture moving eastward from the Pacific Ocean. This blockade results in low rainfall of generally less than 5 inches of precipitation annually. Not only does this region have little rainfall, but it also is one of the hottest deserts on the continent, having a mean maximum temperature in July that easily exceeds 100' (Bailey 1966:42). At present the nearest natural water source is the Whitewater River, which lies approximately three-quarters of a mile to the north. As mentioned above, an ancient lake once existed near the study area. This lake, most commonly known as Lake Cahuilla (also called Lake La Conte or Blake's Sea), existed during periods of inundation of the area by the Colorado River. The River's usual course was to flow directly into the Gulf of California. Periodically, fluctuations in distributary channels would create an accumulation of sediments at the river's mouth. This would result in the formation of a delatic barrier which restricted access to the gulf, causing the 040 course of the river to shift. This diversion caused the Salton Trough, a geologic depression that extends northward 140 miles (225 km) from the gulf, to fill and form a fresh water lake. The high stand of this lake was 42 feet (12 m) amsl, with a maximum depth of 312 feet (95 m), and a surface area of over 2200 square miles or 5700 square kilometers (Wilke 1988; Waters 1983). Wilke (1978) and Laylander (1997) estimated that it would take 12-20 years to fill the basin to this level if the Colorado River emptied entirely into the lake. Eventually, the river's course would shift back to the gulf and desiccation of the lake would occur. It would probably take 55- 60 years (Wilke 1978; Laylander 1997) for the lake to completely desiccate after flow was rediverted. It is generally accepted that Lake Cahuilla has had at least three major lacustrine intervals in which the 42 foot amsl. level was reached (Wilke 1978, Waters 1983), each of these intervals probably lasted between 100-250 years. This chronology, originally presented by Wilke (1978), proposed that there was a high lake stand between 100 BC and AD 600, another between AD 900 and AD 1250, and a final one between AD 1300 and AD 1500. He based his argument on sequencing and clustering of radiocarbon dates obtained from charcoal, shell, and tufa deposits. These dates were corroborated with historical accounts of the region. Waters (1983) argued for yet another highstand occurring within Wilke's timeframe. He suggested that the first inundation was around AD 700 and the final desiccation occurred circa AD 1580. Waters' chronology was based on radiocarbon dates of stratified shell and charcoal deposits. His dates were also supported by historical accounts. Recently, researchers (Quinn 1997; Gurrola and Rockwell 1996; Rockwell 1995; Schaefer 1994) have proposed additional stands of Lake Cahuilla. The latest archaeological and geological research in the Coachella Valley has produced evidence which leans toward a last highstand occurring in the seventeenth century. A summary of highstand dates consistent with the most recent data is as follows: 1) AD 1600-1677, 2) AD 1425-1500, 3) AD 1200-1395, 4) AD 950-1150, and 5) AD 885 (Laylander 1998; Quinn 1997; Waters 1983; Wilke 1978; Gurrola and Rockwell 1996; Rockwell 1995; Schaefer 1994). As is evident, three major recessions, lasting 50 years or longer, have occurred since AD 900. A smaller recession, lasting approximately 30 years also took place during the latter part of the fourteenth and early fifteenth centuries. Cahuilla oral history tells of the rising and falling of Lake Cahuilla. Blake's (1856:98 as cited in Wilke 1978) version of the story, as told to him by "the chief' was of a great water (agua grande) which covered the whole valley and was filled with fine fish. There were also plenty of geese and ducks. Their fathers lived in the mountains and used to come down to the lake to fish and hunt. The water gradually subsided "poco,' `poco,' (little by little), and their villages were moved down from the mountains, and into the valley it had left. They also said that the water once returned very suddenly and overwhelmed many of their people and drove the rest back to the mountains. It is also said that with the recession of Lake Cahuilla the mythical coyote "came down from the mountains and planted mesquite beans on the lakebed (Bowers 1888 and 1891 as cited in Wilke 1978:6)." Mesquite later became an important resource for the Cahuilla. Formation of the study area's natural setting was much like that of the nearby Myoma Dunes investigated by Wilke (1978). Deposition of aeolian sands between mesquite thickets produced 7 041 mounded dunes. Many of these thickets grew near Lake Cahuilla's shoreline. Due to their close proximity, the dunes were used as places to process and cook fish caught at the lake. The dunes also functioned as disposal sites for fish remains, thus the fish middens encountered at lake shore sites. Inundation of the lake would have produced a rich marshland environment that could have been exploited along with the lake and desert resources. Many useful plants grow in this community and were used by the Cahuilla. The marshland would have also drawn in many birds, mammals, and herptiles. Undoubtedly, the Cahuilla also took advantage of these faunal resources. CULTURAL SETTING While the regional ethnography of the study area is fairly well accounted for, its precontact history is poorly understood. Archaeologists have struggled for years to put together comprehensive chronologies for what is referred to as the Prehistoric Period (time preceding contact with Europeans) of Native American history. The sequence of prehistoric habitation presented here is based primarily on the concordance of sequences presented by Warren (1984) and Warren and Crabtree (1986). Warren's timeframe divisions were based on technological changes in lithic use (i.e. millingstones and projectile points). His model was originally devised for the Mojave desert region, but because of basic technological similarities in southern California Indian cultures it is also applicable to the Colorado desert peoples. Lake Mojave Period This period probably represents the earliest phase of human occupation in southern California. It began by at least 10,000 BC and lasted until around 5000 BC. This period is characterized by hunting of larger games animals using spears and articulated spear -throwing devices termed "atlatls." Spear points of this period initially were quite large, lanceolate in shape, and were oftentimes fluted, having a longitudinal groove along the central portion of the body for attachment to a spear. Other projectile points such as Lake Mojave, Parman, and Silver Lake points, were somewhat smaller (though still large in comparison to later arrow points) and foliate in shape. Crescents, specialized scrapers, leaf -shaped knives, drills, and some choppers/ hammerstones are other tools which have been identified with this period. Millingstones typically are not present. The artifact assemblage of this period is indicative of a generalized hunting and gathering subsistence economy. Archaeological sites from early on in this period were generally associated with Pleistocene lake shorelines. As the Altithermal (a warmer and drier climatic period that lasted from 6000 BC to 900 BC) set in, sites began to concentrate around desert oases, away from receding lakes that were becoming too brackish for consumption. This movement likely spawned the technological change that would lead to the Pinto Basin complex. Pinto Period The Pinto Period dates from around 5000 to 2000 BC, corresponding roughly to the Millingstone Horizon in the coastal areas of California. Although desert and coastal peoples shared cultural s 042 traits during this period, desert peoples probably did not have the same dependence on millingstones as coastal peoples. Seed grinding does not appear to be an important economic activity yet to the peoples of this period, but the presence of flat slab and occasionally shallow - basin metates along with manos, indicates growing importance that plant seed resources were beginning to have. Presumably these peoples were still maintaining a large and small game hunting and vegetal gathering economy during this period. Pinto points, as defined by Campbell and Campbell (1935), are the distinctive lithics of this period. These are usually found in association with heavy -keeled scrapers, and millingstones. Pinto Basin complex sites are generally found in association with ephemeral lakes, stream channels, and springs, which to some suggests a break in the Altithermal warming. Presumably there was a reoccupation of lakeshore areas around 4500 BC and then a retreat back to desert oases by 3500 BC. This time period is known as the Little Pluvial. Gypsum Period The Gypsum Period is believed to date from around 2000 BC to about AD 500. Again, primary artifacts indicative of this period are projectile points of various types, including Gypsum Cave, Humbolt series, and Elko series points. The early Gypsum period is characterized by larger projectile points when use of the dart and atlatl were still common. Later, with the introduction of the bow and arrow, smaller points become prominent. Manes and metates become more common, and the mortar and pestle come into use --indicating a developing reliance upon fleshier seed foods such as mesquite pods and acorns. Presence of Habotis and Olivella shell beads in sites of this period provide the earliest evidence for contact between desert and coastal peoples. Saratoga Springs Period The Saratoga Springs Period lasts from about AD 500 to 1200. During this period the southern desert region, in which the Coachella Valley lies, deviates from the rest of the desert region due to heavy cultural influence by the Hakataya, a lower Colorado River group. The Hakataya influence brings drastic technological change to the peoples of this region. Buffware and Brownware pottery, made using the paddle and anvil technique, are introduced and reliance on the bow and arrow increases which leads to a new projectile point type called Cottonwood Triangular. Millingstones, including manos, metates, pestles, and mortars are present in this time period. Shoshonean Period The Shoshonean Period spans from AD 1200 to contact with Europeans. It is characterized mostly by continuing regional development, which causes groups to differentiate technologically, ethnographically, and linguistically. In the Coachella Valley region, Hakataya influence continues, with Colorado Buffware and Tizon Brownware still present. Desert Side - notched points have become the dominant point type. 9 043 Proto-Historic Period Desert Cahuilla have inhabited the Coachella Valley region for at least the last 1000 years. They are a Takic speaking people who are more closely culturally tied with coastal and Colorado River groups than with most other Mojave desert peoples. First known contact with the Cahuilla by a European was during the Juan Bautista de Anza expedition in 1774-1776. They were largely ignored by the Spanish until the establishment of the Asistencias San Ant6nio de Pala (1816), Santa Ysabel (1818), and San Bernardino (1830). Through these mission outposts the Spanish managed to indirectly influence Cahuilla religious beliefs and culture. During the Mexican occupation of California, the Cahuilla were largely left alone by intruders. It was not until 1853 when the Southern Pacific Railroad began surveying the Coachella Valley for a possible railroad route that the Cahuilla were again bothered. By this point the lands inhabited by the Cahuilla had become desired by Americans. In response to this, President Ulysses S. Grant began allotting Cahuilla lands in 1875 to give to American settlers. It was during this period when the removal of the Cahuilla to government reservations began. Ten reservations were created that affected the Cahuilla; of these, four are in the Coachella Valley. Ethnography Many studies of Cahuilla culture have been conducted over the years. Among the most informative accounts are Bean (1972, 1978), Strong (1929), Hooper (1920), and Kroeber (1908). Four excellent ethnobiological studies also exist (Ebeling 1986, Barrows 1900, Kroeber 1925, and Bean and Saubel 1972), as well as archaeological accounts of prehistoric Cahuilla adaptations to the desiccation of ancient Lake Cahuilla (e.g. Wilke 1978). The Cahuilla are divided by anthropologists into three subgroups, the Desert Cahuilla of the Coachella Valley, the Pass Cahuilla of the San Gorgonio pass area, and the Mountain Cahuilla of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains. These divisions were based on geographic separation and dialect differences, but they were not necessarily recognized by the Cahuilla themselves. Actually, the Cahuilla did not consider themselves to be of one tribe as western anthropologists have designated them to be. Bean (1972:85) reported that "the maximal level of social identification among the Cahuilla was the ?ivi?1yu?atum, a linguistically and culturally defined group ... [which] refers to persons speaking the Cahuilla language and recognizing a commonly shared cultural heritage ... [but] a more precise membership criterion existed at the next level of group identity." A person's inclusion in his or her moiety and lineage (or clan) was primary to any tribal affiliation. The two moeities, or main divisions, of the Cahuilla were the Nam (coyote) and the Tuktum (wild cat). Moieties were patrilinear and exogamous, meaning that lineage was followed through the father and that members of one moiety had to marry into the other. Clans were numerous and were named after or associated with the villages they comprised. Individual clans claimed ownership over their village and the territories in which they hunted, gathered, and camped. Territories could be several square miles in extent and were only for the use of a specific lineage. Mesquite grove 10 _ 044 boundaries, for instance, were drawn to include specific trees. Everyone knew who those trees belong to so that if someone from another lineage was found trespassing, a fight could ensue. But in times of need, areas were shared with other clans. This allowance occurred regularly with mesquite because these groves do not produce bountiful crops each year. In the case of crop failure, a neighboring clan would invite the misfortunate person into their territory to gather. A number of villages were located near the study area; any one of them could have owned this fishing camp and gathering site. Cow on vah al ham ah, located at Point Happy about one mile northwest of the subject property, was one such village. Gifford (1918:188-189) recounts the story of Cow on vah al ham ah as: The eagle As-wetsi was the mythical leader of the Sewakil clan of the coyote moiety. In the mountains to the west of Coachella is a rock where this deity rested. The marks in the rock show the position of his chin, elbows, and feet. The marks of his feet have been damaged by white people. Strong (1929:102) related the story as told by Alejo Patencio, "then aswitsei came up to the mountains at kavinic where he leaned against a rock leaving the marks of his elbows and knees. He looked toward maulmii (Toro), then he climbed up the mountain and lay down watching the people, leaving the marks of his elbows and ribs. As he came down he slipped leaving the print of his hand in the soft rocks. Near kavinic was a palm with which he talked." Aswitsei is believed to have married the beautiful daughter of a man named kauicwikil and then settled at a nearby village called Kotevewit (Strong 1929:86). RECORDS AND LITERATURE RESULTS Archaeological Records Search An archaeological site record review of the study area revealed that project acreage have been previously surveyed by the Archaeological Research Unit of the University of California, Riverside in 1992 (Everson 1992). During that investigation, four sites were recorded within the current project area. These were described as follows: CA-RIV-4746 Habitation site consisting of fire -affected rock, a stone hearth, chipped stone, and faunal. CA-RIV-4755H Historical dirt road. CA-RIV4753 Light scatter of shell, fish and small mammal bone, and ceramics. CA-RIV-4754 Temporary habitation site including ground stone, chipped stone, ceramics, burnt clay, a cooking feature, fire -affected rock, and numerous fish and small mammal bone. Loci A and B of site CA-RIV-4754 were previously investigated by Brock, Smith, and Wake (1999). Data recovery of these loci was conducted for the widening of Adams Street. Investigations revealed that CA-RIV-4754, also known as the Burning Dune Site, was used as a u 045 fishing camp during highstands of Ancient Lake Cahuilla. During the final recessional period of the lake, the site was used for mesquite exploitation and small mammal hunting. The area within a one -mile radius of the project is a region of high archaeological sensitivity. Approximately 80% of the area had been surveyed for archaeological resources prior to the current project. These investigations located and documented 20 pre -contact, 8 post -contact, and 2 multi -component sites. An additional 20 archaeological sites are pending upon further documentation. Following is a summary of these previously recorded archaeological resources. CA-RIV-150 Large habitation site, known ethnographically as the village of Cow o vah al ham. CA-RIV-1178 Large habitation site that has not been identified ethnographically. CA-RIV-1181 Probable temporary habitation site containing shell, bone, charcoal, one bead, and pottery sherds. CA-RIV-1770 Ceramic sherd scatter. CA-RIV-2195 Ceramic sherd scatter with fire -affected rock. CA-RIV-2196 Probable temporary habitation site containing ceramics, ground stone, fire -affected rock, faunal, and shell. CA-RIV-2197 Ceramics scatter with faual and charcoal. CA-RIV-2198 Habitation site containing ceramics, chipped stone, fire -affected rock, charcoal, faunal, shell, and a possible rock cairn. CA-RIV-2199 Habitation site with midden containing ceramics, chipped stone, ground stone, charcoal, fire -affected rock, faunal including fish, and shell. Other artifacts include a stone ball and Cottonwood series projectile points. CA-RIV-2200 Habitation site with ceramics, a possible hammerstone, one mano, burnt small mammal bone, and three pieces of amethyst glass. CA-RIV-2936 Ceramics scatter with fire -affected rock, lithic debitage, and faunal. CA-RIV-3680 Ceramic sherd scatter with fire -affected rock and clay fragments. CA-RIV-3681 Ceramic sherd scatter with fire -affected rock. CA-RIV-3682 Habitation site with ceramics, fired clay fragments, burned bone, lithic debitage, and fire -affected rock. CA-RIV-4167 Habitation site containing chipped stone, ceramic sherds, fire - affected rock, charcoal, faunal, and shell. CA-RIV-4168 Habitation site with small midden containing fire -affected rock, ceramic sherds, faunal including fish, shell, and charcoal. Other artifacts include a shell bead and a stone gaming ball. CA-RIV-4169 Small habitation site containing ceramic sherds, faunal, and a shell bead. CA-RIV-4748H Two concrete water valve towers, pipes, barbed-wire fence, and associated historic refuse. CA-RIV-4749H Two concrete slab foundations, concrete water valve tower, pipers, barbed-wire fence line, and Depression -era refuse. CA-RIV-4750/H Two historic can dumps with some prehistoric ceramic sherds. 12 046 CA-RIV-4751/H Multi -component site of prehistoric ceramics, fire -affected rock, burnt bone, and shell with historic glass and metal fragments, a concrete water valve tower, and pipes. CA-RIV-4752 Light scatter of shell, small mammal bone, and ceramic sherds. CA-RIV-4755H Old dirt road that appears on 1941 USGS 15' quad sheet. CA-RIV-4756H Concrete water valve tower, pipes, barbed-wire, nails, and bolts. CA-RIV-4757H Concrete slab foundation, walkway, driveway, water valve tower, shack, pipes, and Depression -era refuse. As can be see, the documented resources are widely varied, representing numerous prehistoric and historic activities. RESEARCH DESIGN INTRODUCTION A research design is a guide document to organize research and interpret findings. It provides a structure from which the evaluation of significance can be made. A research design is usually regional in scope and based on some type of statistically -based sampling program (see Binford 1964). A research design generally has the following elements: (1) a theoretical orientation, (2) research areas, or domains, under which come (3) specific research hypotheses or questions which have (4) test implications for interpretation of field data. THEORETICAL ORIENTATION The theoretical orientation which structures this research design is cultural materialism. Cultural materialism assumes that decision making by people and groups is based upon economic considerations. It assumes that behavior, at least in the long term, is rational and therefore adaptive. It recognizes that people and groups have not and do not always behave in a rational manner but from the relatively gross temporal perspective of archaeology, such behavior is not statistically significant. RESEARCH DOMAINS The research domains, or topics, which will be considered are chronology, subsistence practices, settlement systems, exchange systems, and site structure and formative processes. Discussions of these domains are provided below. Chronology Chronology is the backbone of archaeology. Establishing the sequence of cultural change through time is a fundamental concern in archaeology. Unless a site can be placed in a temporal context, its ability to address the evolution of a cultural system is seriously limited. Fortunately, datable material (e.g. charcoal) is relatively abundant on sites in the La Quinta area, including those investigated during the current project. From this data, it is clear that abundant Late Period sites are present in the La Quinta area. A major concern in the region's archaeology is establishing changes in Late Period settlement and subsistence patterns in relation to the fluctuations in the water level of Ancient Lake Cahuilla. Furthermore, since evidence for temporally earlier sites is lacking, any data helping to establish an Archaic Period chronology for the area is extremely valuable. • Does the site contain sufficient material for absolute or relative dating? Test implications: presence of carbon in sufficient quantity to provide absolute dates, presence of temporally -sensitive artifact types. • Is there any evidence for an archaic period use of the site? Test implications: absolute (e.g. carbon) date of pre -AD 900 or presence of artifacts (e.g. projectile points, beads) dated to pre -AD 900. • Can the site be tied in to one or more of the postulated stands of ancient Lake Cahuilla (see e.g. Waters 1983)? Test implication: absolute date(s) that corresponds to a postulated stand of Lake Cahuilla. • Is there any evidence for a post -Lake Cahuilla use of the site? Test implication: absolute or relative date of post -AD 1650, presence of historical artifacts. Subsistence Practices Presence of a relatively decent sized faunal assemblage from CA-RIV-4746 should provide a good range of evidence for exploitation of faunal resources. Examined with other sites in mind that are located in the vicinity, this assemblage also presents a regional look at resource exploitation. Reconstruction of ceramic vessel forms and the types of ground stone implements present could provide information on the types of resources being exploited by the site's inhabitants. • Is there evidence of a change in subsistence strategies resulting from the desiccation of Lake Cahuilla? Test implication: change in frequencies of particular faunal species in stratigraphically discrete contexts dating to the last stand and later periods. 14 043 • Is there presence of ceramic forms and ground stone implements that are indicative of certain types of resources exploitation activities? • Is there evidence of agriculture? If so, does it relate to changing subsistence practices forced by the desiccation of Lake Cahuilla? Settlement Systems Information on settlement patterns should be present in the data from the site. Data may present evidence of changing settlement patterns with the different lacustral episodes of Ancient Lake Cahuilla and those caused by the final desiccation of the lake. • Can settlement location be related to a particular stand of Ancient Lake Cahuilla? • Is there evidence of a change in settlement patterns pertaining to the desiccation of Lake Cahuilla? • Was shoreline occupation at Lake Cahuilla primarily seasonal or year round (Wilke 1978:14)? Exchange Systems Patterns of exchange should be evidenced in artifactual material from the site. Such things as lithic types, ceramics, and beads present could indicate trade relations with other groups (e.g. Colorado River or coastal California). The following research questions have been developed to address this domain: • Are exotic resources present at the site? Do these represent direct procurement or exchange mechanisms? • Is there evolution through time in the types or quantities of non -local resources present? ■ Is the local catchment area sufficiently diverse in natural resources to discourage trade relations? • Is there evidence of the exchange of technologies or ideas, rather than material objects? Site Structure and Formative Processes The aeolian sand dune environment is atypical of southern California archaeological contexts. Some assumptions that are taken for granted in California archaeology may not necessarily apply to the special environment under consideration. Recent work in the La Quinta area (Brock and Smith 1998) has lead us to put forward the following hypotheses: ■ Because of soil deflation in the aeolian sand environment sites with the most abundant surface material will generally be shallow. 15 049 Test implication: cultural deposits in such scenarios will generally be less than 10 centimeters in depth. • Surface sites will generally evaluate as non -significant for two primary reasons: (1) relic seekers will have picked the diagnostic artifacts from the surface and (2) they will be largely undateable because surface charcoal will have blown away or be contaminated and diagnostic artifacts will be gone. • Buried sites will be present in the aeolian sand dune environment and they will have the greatest research potential. What goes up must come down. Sand accumulation will occur in the dune environment, particularly in regenerative vegetation contexts (e.g. mesquite dunes). This will result in cultural deposits being sealed and buried through time. These deposits will have good integrity. Test implication: discovery of archaeological sites with no, or minimal, surface indicators. METHODS FIELDWORK TECHNIQUES At the initiation of fieldwork a 50 meter grid was established over the entire 50-acre property using labeled wooden stakes (Figure 3). This was linked in to the grid originally used for the data recovery excavations at Loci A and B at CA-RIV-4754, "The Burning Dune Site" (Brock, Smith, and Wake 1999). This grid was tied in to stationary features in the landscape (e.g. utility pole 922085 on the north side of Avenue 48). All fieldwork was tied in to this grid system. Surface collection and feature mapping was conducted across the entire property by transit. Also mapped were areas of blowouts at site CA-RIV-4746 that exhibited cultural material, typically small rock and bone fragments (Figures 4 and 5). In order to test the hypothesis that buried cultural deposits could be present systematic backhoe trenching was conducted during the initial stage of the study. A team of crew members closely monitored backhoe digging to ensure limited disturbance to potential cultural deposits. Soil excavated from the trenches was sifted through 1/4a'-inch screen, specifically designed to handle the larger and heavier soil loads of backhoe trench excavation. This technique was used as an investigative tool to explore and demarcate extents of cultural deposits. The trenches likewise aided in determination of the most productive areas to locate hand excavation units. Standard archaeological field methods were utilized during hand excavations. Excavation units were one -by -one meter in size and were dug in arbitrary 10 cm levels. Soil taken from the units was screened using 1/8th-inch mesh shaker screens. Unit walls were drawn in profile and photographed. Soil samples were taken from each discernable stratigraphic level. 16 050 voi o voi o 0 0 Z Z Z 2 2 2 0 W I ADAMS STREET w 17 051 Figure :4. Example of blown out area (Blow Out 2 looking south). N15WC100t N15M;50_ W1 C200 4N150 250 P 8030 %O A �9� B031 �-v� B027 B026 BC13 ..' Av�� 13029 t B025 VZ. .8028 801 _ B032 " N1LY1/N00 Nr00'EI50 AA NIOUE250 r B033'� N1 s00 r \•8010 B04 B014 809 ., 8022 8016 B023 802 �A B015 i 803 •. B012 BOtt 005 BOS B024 . NSaiEr00, N5 150 B06 N5NE200 rNmIE250 807' 6018 B021 B017 6020 C pp MV q 2 Blowouts With y B019-- Cultural Material November1998 0 Meters so Yigure 5. Blow outs recorded at CA -RI V-d7d6. 052 L8 A systematic random sampling strategy was used to determine placement of the trenches and units excavated. LABORATORY TECHNIQUES General Laboratory work consisted of cleaning, sorting, cataloging, and analysis of recovered specimens. A computer database program was utilized in constructing and maintaining an artifact/ecofact catalog. Specimens from the sites were numbered with the appropriate California state trinomial and catalog number. Catalog numbers consist of five digits. The first two digits denote the material/analysis category (e.g., CA for carbon, CE for ceramics, FA for faunal). The last three digits correspond to the consecutive order of specimens within each category. Faunal Analysis Analysis of vertebrate faunal was conducted by Dr. Thomas Wake of the Z,00archaeology Laboratory, University of California, Los Angeles. Specimens were sorted, identified, cataloged, and bagged separately by laboratory staff. Each specimen was identified to the most discrete taxonomic level possible. When possible, skeletal elements, age, and modifications were also identified. All identifications were confirmed using the comparative osteological collection housed at the Zooarchaology Laboratory. FINDINGS FIELDWORK DETAILS AND GENERAL FINDINGS Phase I fieldwork (survey) for the project area had been previously conducted in 1992 by the Archaeological Research Unit of the University of California, Riverside (Everson 1992). Phase II (test excavation) fieldwork was conducted by Archaeological Advisory Group November 16 to December 2, 1998. This research consisted of excavating 98 backhoe trenches and 20 test units, and recording six features and two isolates. SURFACE COLLECTION AND MAPPING Surface artifact and ecofact collection, along with general mapping, was conducted at the three prehistoric sites, the historic road, and the two isolate locations. The surface findings from CA- RIV-4746 are shown in Figure 6. 19 053 N150/E100+ N15aE150+ +N15aE200 +N15aE250 BO31�\\B029 BO27 BO26 �FA029 B013 �� -A-- BO25 BO28BO1 BO32N100/E700+ �\N10aE150+BO33i-N10aE200 +N10aE250 t X� cwos Feature 3 csols— A csole �� c5010 FA023 \ 6022 CS011, C5012, c5o13 cson— t, BO14 BO9r BO10 , /cEo10 o FA000 BO16 \ BO4 v �FA026 B02'J 603 BO15 'p FA022�EW9CL6O23 LLO10 B012 j`� ��027 C5009" \ `/ Jam-' d A (`�cE00fi 805 CE004 t\ cE0007BO8 CE005—�\ N5aE15o <'� BO6 N50/E100+ + BO7 Emeott CA-RIV-4746 Blowouts, Surface Artifacts, and N Features 0 Meters 50 1 8011 6024 `A FAoza +N50IE200 FA0U ram6018 6017 —r \ FA025,�" C E012 i7�-BO21 BO19—(-j� csolo Saw 7t� BO20 X\ Feature 1 Feature 2 Key: • 1 Brownware Sherd • 2 Brownware Sherds 0 3 Brownware Sherds • 1 Clay Fragment o 2 Clay Fragments X Feature A 1-3 Chipped Stone 15.16 Chipped Stone = 1-10 Faunal c 10+Faunal Figure 6. Map of CA-RIV-4746 with blow outs, collected surface artifacts, and features shown. 20 054 The very limited findings from CA-RIV-4753 are shown in Figure 7. A map of findings at Locus C of CA-RIV-4754, with the previously investigated Loci A and B only generalized, is shown as Figure 8. A view of the dirt track that runs partially across the northern border of the study area is shown as Figure 9. UNIT, TRENCH, AND FEATURE DESCRIPTIONS Trenches A systematic, fifty meter interval grid of backhoe trenches was initially excavated across the property to investigate for subsurface deposits. A view of backhoe trenching in progress is shown in Figure 10. The layout of the initial grid of 72 trenches, which corresponded with the staked reference grid locations, is shown in Figure 11. With the completion of the initial trench grid, 26 additional trenches were dug at 25 meter intervals to refine the delineation of buried deposits and to search for further buried material. As can be seen in Figure 12, this additional trenching occurred primarily in the vicinity of CA-RIV-4746 and in the northeastern area of the site where there are some larger, mesquite -covered dunes. A total of 98 trenches were excavated by backhoe. Table 1 presents a summary of the trenching done for the project. Units All units excavated were one -by -one meter in size and excavated in arbitrary 10 centimeter levels. Units were dug from datum (northwest unit comer) to sterile unless they had to be abandoned because of collapsing sidewalls. Datum points for all units were linked into the site grid system. CA-RIV-4746 Sixteen units were dug at CA-RIV-4746 (Figure 13). Most of these units showed no stratigraphic differentiation and consequently they are not illustrated here. Units I through 12 were dug in a systematic, modified checkerboard pattern. The last four units, 13 through 16, were dug intuitively in locations where higher densities of material were expected (e.g. features). Unit 1 Unit 1 was located at N50/E210 and excavated on contour to 100 centimeters. The stratigraphy of the unit is shown in Figure 14. The unit produced a small amount of material including an Olivella barrel bead, bone, and unbumt rock. 21 055 CA-RIV-4753 Site flan +ESOIN200(datum) 0 Meters 10 N Scl(GEU03) CSG2 (cEW2) M —Unit 1 J SCI (CE001) 1—> FSgure'1. Map of CA-RIV-4753 with surface artifacts and unit location indicated. 22 f) 5 6 CA-RIV-4754 I-Nov.1998Investigations N LDunes Locus Al 0 ^ Meters 20 I r C I �7 n � r �: °0 1I- _ � N100IE50+ CEaoe \� N1001E100+ N \ Cn L_ Dunes I Locus C \ M _ \ Unit A L_ I \� L Locus B F"a 4 XF.a 6 I X•CL009 Unit C- �.G5002 I I X Feature 9 \ r I— l Dunes CL0/70 ocLb�olo 01 �I t FA0 }N5WE100 Curb NWE50+ oOOT CLO12 •C CE008 'CL014 p•CL019 O14 aoo,- �J Curb /V J Unit B / � L_J KEY: - 1 Brownware Sherd Note: Loci A and B previously • 2 Brownware Sherds Investigated (see Brock, Smith, 0 11 BrovmwareL Sherds and Wake 1999) 1 Clay (Fragment 2 Clay (Fragments o 4 Clay (Fragments 0 7 Clay (Fragments X Feature m Chipped Stone u Faunal Ground Stone Figure S. Map of CA-RIV-4754 with surface artifacts, features, and unit locations indicated. 057 23 Ti Figure 9. View of historic dirt track. CA -RI V-J7551-1. looking wes(. Figure 11). Action shot of backhoc trenching in progress with archaeologists William A. Sawyer (left) and Steve Dies (right) observing. 24 lon CD o o In O o 0 o Q Z 2 I Z Z In Z Z N ,^ o 0 W 2 W O I La N — W 1 1 ' I 1 1 I Y_ — I W /Wy lo— W W U el n I t= I lots W LU 81 co W I U �— 1 1 LO co W P— W J - - I O •� C — cq 1 1 1 i W ' I I Z N O I I O O � I p— o I o W O L W m Q r � d a -' 1 w I • I O M �— 1 1 1 I 1 O W S W W Z I O a. h— W 1 1 I 1 11 1 w Q ®Z C '\ I 0 0 0 -- N N I OI Z Z Z Z Z Z 25 059 ,m N O A N 0 N O cmz N Z Z Z Z Z `Q Q CDto— O O O LLJ a w ;- W I p X W W W n N- w I' __ I _ o V� w - U p w �_ O —w w LU w W O O o ,n N— I I 1 I' 1 — M w w T I Y i U p p J �- p I_C> w N O to LO O I N—\IFL,. w ui �/� W N N- O w' O M W- I I I � O I—w tl W e O CO) O �- I I I I v I- w p wAn s N O W , O p i w /V L w W O O A- , 1 w I O Z O Ul w \ w Q mmpph� ®gym[ I --80�-- \\ I O O O Lo O Ln N O0 A W N O N Z Z I Z Z Z Z Z Z Z 060 26 Table 1. Summary of backhoe trench data. Trench Number Corresponding Depth (cros) Stratigraphic General Site Observations Findin s NO/E50 None 100 Road construction debris NO/E100 None 150 Lake silts with Negative sand NO/E150 CA-RIV-4746 200 Baked clay, granite, fire - affected rock NO/E200 CA-RIV-4746 200 Dune sands Negative NO/E250 None 200 Dune sands Negative NO/E300 None 200 Dune sands Negative NO/E350 None 220 Dune sands Negative NO/E400 None I60 Lake silts Negative NO/E450 None 200 Sand/silt Ne ative _ NO/E500 None 150 Lake silts Negative NO/E550 None 200 Sand/silt Negative NO/E600 None 150 Lake silts at 20- Modern refuse 150 cm; burn layer at 0-20 cm N25/E150 CA-RIV-4746 200 1 fish vertebra, granite, fire - affected rock N25/E200 CA-RIV-4746 200 Dune sands Granite, shist, fire -affected rock N25/E225 CA-RIV-4746 200 Dune sands with Ceramic sherds, some charcoal granite, fire - flecks affected rock N25/E250 None 200 Dune sands Negative N50/E50 CA-RIV-4754C 150 Cultural layer at Baked clay, 1 0-40 cm level ceramic sherd N50/E75 CA-RIV-4754C 200 Dune sands Negative N501EI00 CA-RIV-4754C 200 Carbon nodules Baked clay, noted 1 small mammal bone N50/E125 None 200 Dune sands Negative N50/E150 CA-RIV-4746 200 12 ceramics sherds 27 061 Table I (continued). Summary of backhoe trench data. Trench Number Corresponding Depth (cros) Stratigraphic General Site Observations Findings N50/E200 CA-RIV-4746 200 Baked clay, granite, fire - affected rock N50/E250 CA-RIV-4746 200 1 carbon nodules Granite, basalt, noted fire -affected rock N50/E300 None 200 Lake silts Negative N50/E350 None 200 Lake silts Negative N50/E400 None 200 Lake silts Negative N50/E450 None 150 Compact, sterile Negative lake bottom at 150 cm N50/E500 None 150 Lake silt at 130 Negative cm N50/E550 None 160 Lake silts Negative N50/E600 None 180 Lake silts Negative N75/E150 CA-RIV-4746 200 Dune sands Granite, fire - affected rock N75/E200 CA-RIV-4746 200 Dune sands Granite, fire - affected rock N75/E250 CA-RIV-4746 200 Dune sands Negative N100/E50 CA-RIV-4754C 220 Dune sands Baked clay N100/E75 CA-RIV-4754C 220 Dune sands Negative N 100/E 100 None 220 Dune sands Negative N100/E125 CA-RIV-4746 200 Dune sands Negative NI00/E150 CA-RIV-4746 200 Dune sands Baked clay, basalt, granite, fire -affected rock, 1 red chert flake N100/E200 CA-RIV-4746 200 Dune sands, Granite, basalt, carbon pieces fire -affected rock between 8-100 cm N100/E225 CA-RIV-4746 200 Dune sands Negative N100/E250 CA-RIV-4746 200 Dune sands Negative NI00/E300 None 200 Dune sands Negative N100/E350 None 200 Lake silts Negative NI00/E400 None 200 Sands and silts Negative W. 062 Table 1(continued). Summary of backhoe trench data. Trench Number Corresponding Site Depth (cros) Stratigraphic Observations General Findings N100/E450 None 200 Dune sands Negative N100/E500 None 200 Sands and silts Negative N100/E550 None 200 Lake silts Negative N100/E600 None 150 Surface carbon nodules noted Negative N125/E150 CA-RIV-4746 220 Dune sands Negative N125/E200 CA-RIV-4746 200 Dune sands Negative N150/E50 None 160 Lake silts Negative N150/E100 None 200 Dune sands Negative N]50/E150 None 230 Dune sands Negative N150/E200 None 200 Dune sands Negative N150/E250 None 200 Dune sands Negative N150/E300 None 200 Dune sands Negative N150/E350 None 150 Lake silts Negative N150/E400 None 150 Dune sand; faunal material from 0-20 cm I large mammal bone, prob. modern N150/E450 None 200 Dune sands Negative N150/E500 None 200 Dune sands Negative N150/E550 None 190 Dune sands Negative N150/E600 None 200 Dune sands Negative N175/E450 None 200 Dune sands Negative N175/E475 None 220 Dune sands Negative N175/E500 None 200 Dune sands Negative N175/E525 None 200 Dune sands Negative N175/E550 None 200 Dune sands Negative N200/E50 None 200 Sandy silts Negative N200/E100 None 200 Dune sands Negative N200/E150 None 220 Dune sands Negative N200/E200 None 200 Dune sands Negative N200/E250 None 200 Dune sands Negative N200/E300 None 180 Lake silts Negative N200/E350 None 150 Compact, friable lake silt at 120cm Negative N200/E400 None 150 Lake silts Negative N200/E450 None 200 Dune sands Negative 29 063 Table 1 (continued). Summary of backhoe trench data. Trench Number Corresponding Site Depth (cros) Stratigraphic Observations General Findings N200/E475 None 200 Dune sands Negative N200/E500 None 250 Dune sands in mesquite covered dune knoll Negative N200/E525 None 200 Dune sands Negative N200/E550 None 200 Dune sands with two carbon nodules Negative N200/E575 None 200 Dune sands Negative N200/E600 None 200 Dune sands Negative N225/E450 None 200 Dune sands Negative N225/E475 None 200 Dune sands Negative N225/E500 None 200 Dune sands Negative N250/E50 None 150 Lake silts Negative N250/E100 None 200 Dune sands Negative N250/E150 None 200 Dune sands Negative N250/E200 None 200 Dune sands Negative N250/E250 None 200 Dune sands Negative N250/E300 None 200 Dune sands Negative N250/E350 None 200 Dune sands Ne ittive N250/E400 None 200 Dune sands Negative N250/E450 None 200 Dune sands Negative N250/E475 None 200 Dune sands Negative N250/E500 None 200 Dune sands Negative N250/E550 None 200 Dune sands Negative N250/E600 None 200 Dune sands Negative Unit 2 This unit was located at NIOO/E160 and excavated from datum to 80 centimeters. It produced one piece of bone and one debitage from the 10 to 20 centimeter level. The soil was a consistent grayish brown aeolian sand (Munsell: 10YR5/2). Unit 3 Unit 3 was located at NI00/E210 and excavated from datum to 50 centimeters and postholed to 130 centimeters. Very light charcoal flecking was noted from 20 to 40 centimeters, otherwise the unit was negative. The soil was a consistent grayish brown aeolian sand (Munsell: IOYR5/2). 30 064 CA-R' �7 ®4746 _Meters 50 UNIT LOCATIONS AND ESTIMATED EXTENT OF SITE �--i r---- NIME150µ Unit 2 N700/E200+ Unit 3 N100/EI501 C Unit 11 Unit 15 . Unit 12 Unit 14' _ NSOVE100+ NSdE1W Unit 5 N-%V2Wt . Unit 1 N50VE250+ 4 C 1Unit Unit 13 J Unit 10 Unit 9 ✓� C/ �/ J NaE100+ NW iw Unit 7 NNE:oo Unit 6 'S° Unit 8 Unit 16 Figure 13. Locations of units dug at CA-RIV-4746 with the total extent of the site indicated 31 065 CA-RIV-4746 Unit 1 South Sidewall Level of Unit Datum (NW corner) Horizontally layered fine aeolian sands and silts. Munsell color: 10YRS/2 (grayish brown). Sloping layers of aeolian sands and silts with layers of darker material consisting of decomposing organic material (plant) and micaceous minerals. Munsell color: 10YR512 (grayish brown). Fine, slightly compact aeolian silts and sands. ! Munsell color: V 10YR5/3, (brown). 0 CnIs. 20 Figure 14. Stratigraphy of Unit I at CA-RIV-4746. 32 066 Unit 4 This unit was located at N50/E250 and excavated from datum to 60 centimeters and postholed to 140 centimeters. The top levels produced a number of small bone pieces, lower levels were sterile. The soil was a consistent grayish brown aeolian sand (Munsell: 10YR5/2). Unit 5 This unit was at N50/E160. It was excavated from datum to 80 centimeters and postholed to 160. No cultural material was recovered. The soil was a consistent grayish brown aeolian sand (Munsell: 10YR5/2). Unit 6 This was one of the more productive units and it had discernable siratigraphy (Figure 15). It was located at NO/E210 and dug on datum to 140 centimeters before being abandoned due to collapsing sidewalls. The unit produced !bone, unmodified rocks, and a substantial amount of carbon. Two radiocarbon dates were secured from samples from this unit (see below). Unit 7 Unit 7 was located at NO/EI60 and dug on contour to 100 centimeters and postholed to 180 centimeters (Figure 16). From 0 to 70 centimeters the soil was a light grayish brown (Munsell: IOYR6/2) loose aeolian sand. From 70 to 100 centimeters the soil was darker (Munsell: 10YR5/1—gray). The unit produced burned clay fragments, along with a piece of bone and debitage. Unit 8 Unit 8 was located at NO/E260 and dug from datum to 50 centimeters and postholed to 130 centimeters. The soil was a consistent light grayish brown aeolian sand (Munsell: 10YR6/2). No cultural material was recovered. Some charcoal flecking was present. Unit 9 This test unit was located at N25/E225 and was dug to 40 centimeters and postholed to 100 centimeter. Excavation was limited by stuffing of the; sidewalls. Some unmodified rocks and two pieces of bone were present. The soil was a consistent light grayish brown aeolian sand (Munsell: I OYR6/2). 33 067 CA-RIV-4746 Unit 6 North Sidewall 0 cros. 20 i Datum (NOIE210) Aeolian sands and :silt with organics, coarser sands finely layered. Roots and rootlets. Munsell color: t0YR612 (light grayish brown). Aeolian sands and silts. Finer sands and silts. Roots and rootlets. Finely layered. Munsell color: 10YR612 (light grayish brown). Darker soil with charcoal, ash, and partially bumf organics. Charcoal pockets. Mottled. Noticeable rodent intrusion. Rootlets and roots. Coarser sands. Munsell color: t0YR5N (gray). Same as 3 except lighter in color with finer sands and silts. Munsell color: 10YR412 (dark grayiish brown). Key: ® Charcoal Rodent disturbance Figure 15. Stratigraphy of Unit 6 at CA-RIV-4746. 34 068 llk�l I4. Figm-c 16. Vici% of Unit 7 a(CA-RIV-4746 CA*R'V' UxRn A C & 12 'igiwe 17. Vicx% of Uni I A al Locus Col CA-R I V-4754 069 Unit 10 Unit 10 was located at N25/E175 and was excavated on contour to 40 centimeters and postholed to 110 centimeters. The soil was a consistent light grayish brown aeolian sand (Munsell: 10YR6/2). No cultural material was recovered. Unit 11 This unit was located at N75/E175 and dug on contour to 80 centimeters. It was subsequently postholed to 160 centimeters. It produced three brownware sherds and a considerable amount of unmodified and thermally -affected rock from the top two levels. The soil was a consistent grayish brown aeolian sand (Munsell: 10YR5/2). Unit 12 Unit 12 was located at N75/E225. It was dug from datum to 80 centimeters and postholed to 160 centimeters. The unit produced nine rock fragments of which all but one are; thermally -affected. The soil was a consistent grayish brown aeolian sand (Munsell: 10YR5/2). Unit 13 Unit 13 was located at N33/E232 in the central portion of Feature 1. It was dug from datum to 50 centimeters and postholed to 110 centimeters. The unit produced burnt and unburnt rocks and a moderate amount of charcoal. A radiocarbon date was run on the charcoal sample from 30 to 40 centimeters (see below). The soil was a consistent grayish brown aeolian sand (Munsell: 10YR5/2). Unit 14 This unit was placed in a dune blowout area (Blowout 23). This was located at N70/E240. The unit was dug on contour to 40 centimeters and postholed to 80 centimeters. The only material came from the top level and consisted primarily of bone, with two flakes, unmodified rock, and intrusive plaster fragments also present. The soil was a consistent gray aeolian sand (Munsell 10YR5/1). Unit 15 Unit 15 was located at N75/E221 in Blowout I1. It was dug on contour to 40 centimeters and postholed to 130 centimeters. All cultural material came; from the 0 to 10 centimeter level and consistent primarily of small bones, a flake, and 36 070 unmodified rock fragments. The soil was a consistent grayish brown aeolian sand (Munsell: 10YR5/2). Unit 16 Unit 16 was located at the southern end of the site adjacent to an escarpment caused by the road cut for Avenue 48. The unit was at—25N/20013. It. was excavated on contour to 50 centimeters and postholed to 130 centimeters. With the exception of some light charcoal flecking the findings were negative. The soil was a consistent light grayish brown aeolian sand (Munsell: 10YR6/2). CA-RIV-4753 One test excavation unit was dug in the area reported as CA-RIV-4753. The location is shown in Figure 7 above. This unit (Unit 1) was located at N178/E45 and dug from datum to 70 centimeters and postholed to 110 centimeters. Intrusive modern refuse was present in the top 10 centimeters (glass and plastic —not collected). No prehistoric material was recovered. Charcoal flecking was present in all levels. The soil was a loose grayish brown sand to 10 centimeters (10YR5/2), a grayish brown (10YR5/2) silty sand with fine aeolian bedding to 60 centimeters, and a grayish brown (10YR5/2) compacted silt below 60 centimeters. CA-RIV--4754 Locus C Three units were excavated in the Locus C area of CA-RIV-4745, the Burning Dune site (see Figure 8 above). These were given letters rather than number so as not to confuse them with units dug during previous investigations (see Brock, Smith, and Wake 1999). Unit A Unit A was located at N75/E75 and dug on contour to 70 centimeters and postholed to 110 centimeters (Figure 17). It produced three brownware sherds and two fragments of tabular clay from the top three levels. Some charcoal was present. The stratigraphy consisted of two layers divided by a slight charcoal lens running through the 20 to 30 centimeter level. The top layer was a light grayish brown aeolian sand (10YR6/2). The lower layer was a grayish brown aeolian sand (10YR5/2). Unit B Unit B was located at N25/E75 and dug on contour to 70 centimeters and postholed to 120 centimeters. It produced two fragments of tabular clay and one brownware sherd. The stratigraphy consisted of grayish brown (10YR5/2) aeolian sand to 60 centimeters with a compacted grayish brown (10YR5/2) silt hardpan below. 37 071 Unit C This unit was located at N67/E86 and dug on contour to 50 centimeters and postholed to 100 centimeters. The top two levels produced fire -affected and unaltered rock, charcoal fragments, and one fragment of tabular clay. The soil was a consistent light grayish brown aeolian sand (Munsell: 10YR6/2). Features CA-RIIV-4746 Three surface features were recorded at CA-RIV-4746. These are all rock clusters. The locations of the features are indicated above in Figure 6. Feature I consists of a loose surface scatter of burnt and unburnt rocks measuring approximately 3.0 by 7.0 meters (see Figure 18). Feature 2 was also a loose scatter of burnt and unburnt rocks (Figure 19). This measures about 4.0 by 4.5 meters. A third feature (Feature 3) consists of a much smaller cluster of rocks (50 cm in diameter, see Figure 20). XRFOA2 J No features were noted at CA-RIV-4753. CA-RIV-4754 Locus C In addition to the three features initially recorded at Loci A and B of CA-RIV-4754 (see Brock, Smith, and Wake 1.999), three additional surface rock scatters were recorded at Locus C during this investigation. These are shown in Figure 8 above. These are all small scatters of unburnt and burnt rocks. Feature 4 measures 20 by 60 centimeters, Feature 5 measures about 60 centimeters in diameter (see Figure 21), and Feature 6 measures about 80 by 40 centimeters. ANALYSIS OF RECOVERED MATERIAL Table 2 presents a summary of material recovered during the project by analysis category and weight. Categories of materials represented consist of beads (BE), charcoal (CA), ceramics (CE), baked/burnt clay (CL), chipped stone (CS), ground stone (GS), faunal remains (FA), fire - affected rock (FAR.), plain rocks (LI), miscellaneous (MI), and shell (SH). 38 072 L �-z- O p E Y Y u 0 0 � � a m c� L a x O � U m O ® p 9 0 073 39 0 C Mound with creosote bush remnants 1 \0 O Q� d o 9 0,0- _®gip O 9 O -FN31IE217 a p Is �O Daft e 0 p fl ®OO o n Q N30IE217+ a D 0 Q D O rol 00 pe O +N'31/E220 CA-RIV-4746 Feature 2 Plan N 0 cros. 60 Key: 0 Rock ® Thermally Affected Rock Figure 19. Plan of Feature 2 (rock cluster) at CA-RIV-4746. 40 - , - n Ali?" �r : Yw;�ki .+z1 4 x •:; .54 `0lip � . r `] ,, , yy 1• 'y �i r— Figure 241. View of Feature 3 (rock cluster) al CA-RIV-4746, Figure 21. View of Fealurc 5 (rock c)ustcr) al CA-RIV-4754- 41 075 Table 2. Summary of material recovered by weight and provenience. BE CA CE I CL CS I GS FA I FAR I LI MI SH Totals CA-RIV4746 0.3 218.9 95.3 45.9 940.8 4761.3 3.9 0.2 6139.5 CA-RIV-4753 -- 0.6 6.6 -- 0.1 -- -- -- 0.1 7.4 CA-RIV4754, LocusC 46.1 36.7 104.4 0.1 63.4 183.E ]060.4 Isolate 1 -- -- 49.3 -- *50.7--22.2 -- -- -- -- 493Isolate 2 __ __ __ __ 10.0 __ __ __ 10.0 Totals 03 265.6 187.9 1503 32.4 1004.2 4944.9 3.9 03 7266.6 CA-RIV-4746 Radiocarbon Dates Three radiocarbon dates were derived from charcoal samples from excavation units at CA-RIV- 4746. The results from Beta Analytic Inc. are presented in Appendix 2. A sample from Unit 6, 60-70 centimeters (Cat. No. CA002, Beta-126673) produced a conventional radiocarbon age of 1060 t 60 BP. The one sigma calibrated result (68% probability) puts the date: at AD 960-1020. Curiously, a charcoal sample from the 120-130 centimeter level (Cat. No. CA008, Beta-126674) of the same unit produced a later date: conventional radiocarbon age of 860 i 60 13P. The one sigma calibrated date is AD 1065 to 1075 and AD 1155 to 1250. The fact that these 68 percent probability dates do not even overlap is enigmatic. Explanations could be poor quality samples, faulty calibration, or actual movement of the deposits through aeolian or cultural activity. Stranger still, the two sigma, 95 percent probability calibrated dates do overlap. The higher sample (Beta-126673) dates to AD 880 to 1045 and AD 1105 to 1115. The lower sample (Beta- 126674) dates to AD 1030 to 1280. Perhaps a good guess for the actual date of the deposit in the vicinity of Unit 6 is AD 1100, but the overall date range possibility would have to span some 400 years, AD 880 to 1280. Another radiocarbon date for CA-RIV-4746 was run from a sample that came from Unit 13, 30- 40 centimeters (Cat. No. CA12, Beta-126675). This produced a conventional radiocarbon age of 610 t 50 BP. The; one sigma calibrated results (68% probability) are AD 1300 to 1410 and the two sigma calibrated results (95% probability) are AD 1290 to 1425. The laws of the real world seem to apply here: with this shallower deposit actually having a later date! The radiocarbon dates from CA-RIV-4746 indicate a date range for the use of the site that could extend from AD 880 to 1425. Faunal Results Results of the faunal assemblage analysis were submitted by Dr. Thomas A. Wake in a separate report. This is presented as Appendix 3. The following is a summary of those results. A total of 204 bone specimens (19.75 gms) was recovered from CA-RIV-4746. Fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals are represented at the site. Mammals are by far the dominate group within 42 076 the faunal assemblage (N=170, 12.98 gms). Of the identified mammals, small mammal such as Botta's pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae, N=18, 0.5 gms), Cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus audubonii, N=11, 0.9 gms), and Antelope ground -squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus, N=8, 0.39 gms) specimens are the most numerous. The fish assemblage is comprised predominately of razorback suckers (Xyrauchen texanus, N=6, 0.52 gms). Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii, N=10, 5.27 gms) specimens also comprise a relatively significant portion of the faunal assemblage. Ceramics A small assemblage of pottery was recovered from CA-RIV-4746. This consists of 35 sherds comprising a minimum count of 7 vessels. Unfortunately only one rim sherd is present and it is too small to be diagnostic. Interestingly, all of the sherds are brownwares. Chipped Stone CA-RIV-4746 contained 50.7 grams of chipped stone. Chipped stone was recovered from five test units (Units 02, 07, 12, 14, ad 15), one trench (N100/EI50), and surface collections (SC 2, 13, 14, 19, and 21). Materials consist of cherts and chalcedonys of variant colors and quartz (e.g. see Figure 22). The total number of specimens is 52, consisting of 20 chert flakes, i piece of chert debitage, 21 chalcedony flakes, 5 pieces of chalcedony debitage, 3 pieces of quartz debitage, a utilized chert flake (Figure 23), and one crude grey chert side scraper (Figure 23). This specimen measures 57.6 mm in length by 37.2 mm in width and 13.0 mm in height and weighs 28.7 grams. Other Lithics CA-RIV-4746 produced 5702.1 grams (N=250) of lithic materials. These specimens consist of 4699.9 grams (N=213) of unburned granite, 940.8 grams (N=29) of fire -affected granite, 53.4 grams (N=7) of unburned basalt, and 8.Ograms (N=1) of unburned schist. Nine units (Unit 01, 04, 06, 09, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15) and ten trenches (NO/E150, N25/E150, N25,E200, N25/E225, N50/E200, N50/E250, N75/E150, N75/E200, N100/E150, and N100/E200) yielded the collected materials. The rocks were fairly evenly distributed between units (3076.2 gms) and trenches (2625.9 gms). One bead was recovered from the 10 to 20 centimeter level of Unit 1 at CA-FIV-4746. It is an Olivella sp. barrel bead —where the top and the bottom of the bead have been ground down (Figure 24). The specimen is heavily burnt. It measures 8.6 mm in length and 7.4 mm in width. Olivella beads are often chronologically sensitive. The barrel bead was, unfortunately, used in all periods of southern California coastal prehistory according to Chester King (1990). As with the Olivella spire -ground, it is probably not a reliable chronological indicator for the desert region either. 43 - 077 Figure 22. Pressure flakes collected from the surface of CA-RIV-4746 (left: chert flakes --CS015, right: chalcedony flakes—CS017). Figure 23. Chipped stone tools from CA-RIV4746. Left: utilized flake (CS002), right: side scraper (CS009). 44 0 %8 Figure 24. Oivella barrel bead from CA-RIV4746 (BE001). Figure 25. Baked clay specimens from CA-FaV-4746. Left: globular example (CLO10). right: tabular example (CLO09). 45 079 Burned/Baked Clay Specimens Two units (Unit 6 and 7), two surface collections (S(' 2 and 3), and three trenches (NO/E150, N50[E200, and N100/E150) yielded burnt clay specimens for site CA-RIV-4746. The specimens consist of 26 pieces (4.6 grams) of tabular clay and 3 pieces (41.3 grams) of globular clay (see Figure 25 for examples of these different clay forms). The two pieces recovered from Trench N50/200, although, burnt, are not fully hardened and have a melted appearance. These specimens are different from other pieces of clay found elsewhere on the project area and the vicinity, and may represent a different type of activity occurring that. is not related to the use of the other types of clay. Other Materials Recovered Freshwater Shell Four freshwater shell fragments were recovered from CA-RIV-4746, Unit 6. Three of the specimens are freshwater mussel and the other fragment compares favorably with freshwater snail. Plaster One piece of historic/modem plaster was recovered from Unit 14 at the 0-10 centimeter level. CA-RIV4753 Radiocarbon Dates Small amounts of charcoal were recovered from CA-RIV-4753. The volume was insufficient for standard radiometeric dating and, given the very small artifact assemblage from the site, it was felt that expensive: accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating was not worthwhile. Faunal Results Results of the faunal assemblage analysis were submitted by Dr. Thomas A. Wake in a separate report. This is presented as Appendix 3. The following is a summary of those results. One small mammal fragment was found in Unit 1, 10-20 cm level at site CA-RIV-4753. Ceramics Three small undiagnostic brownware sherds were recovered during the surface collection. IM 080 Other Materials Recovered Freshwater Snail One freshwater snail fragment was also recovered from Unit 1, level 0-10 centimeter!; at site CA- RIV-4753. CA-RIV-4754, Locus C Radiocarbon Dates While no charcoal deposits of sufficient size for radiocarbon dating were acquired during investigation of Locus C at CA-RIV-4754, previous research has resulted in the dating of Loci A and B at the site (Brock, Smith, and Wake 1999). Analysis of the site indicated two phases of early use. The first phase, associated with a radiocarbon date of 340 +/- 50 BP (cal AD 1450- 1660, 2 sigma, 95% probability; Beta-108593) is related to fishing activities during what was probably the final high stand of ancient freshwater Lake Cahuilla. The second phase: of use is as a gathering and hunting area for mesquite and small game. This phase would have occurred during the lake's final recession. Radiocarbon dates indicate that exploitation of the dune terminated with a massive fire across the entire site around AD 1800. Faunal Results Results of the faunal assemblage analysis were submitted by Dr. Thomas A. Wake in a separate report. This is presented as Appendix 3. The following is a summary of those results. One bone fragment from an unidentified mammal was taken from the surface collection at Locus C of site CA-RIV-4754. Ceramics A small assemblage of ceramics was recovered from Locus C at CA-RIV-4754. This consists of 21 sherds of brownware with a minimum of 6 vessels represented. As with CA-RIV-4746, no buffwares are present. The sherds are largely undiagnostic. One flared rim sherd might represent a cooking vessel and a flared neck sherd might represent part of an ollla. Ground Stone One mano and two ground stone fragments were recovered from site CA-RI'V-47:54, Locus C. The mano is bifacial and is made of sandstone that is heavily exfoliated (Figure 26). This specimen weighs 522.7 grams and measures 109.5 mm in length, 80.5 mm in width, and 38.5 mm in height. It was collected from the surface near Unit C. The two groundstone fragments are both of burnt schist and were recovered from Unit C from the 0-10 centimeter level. The pieces weighed 102.2 grams total. 47 081 Figure 26. Mano from Locus C al. CA-RIV4754 (GS001). Figure 27. Brownware sherds collected as Isolate 1. 48 08' Chipped Stone One flake of milky chalcedony was collected from the surface at site CA-RIVA754, Locus C. Other Lithies A total of 247.0 grams (N=27) of lithic materials were collected from CA-RIV-4754, Locus C. Of this total, 43.7 ,grams (N=3) is fire -affected basalt, 19.7 grams (N=6) is fire -affected granite, and 183.6 grams (1Q=18) is unburned granite. All of the specimens were recovered from Unit C between 0-20 centimeters. Burned Clay Specimens CA-RIV-4754, Locus C produced a total of 104.4 grams (N=56) of burnt clay fragments. Tabular clay accounted for 15.1 grams (N=49) of the: total and globular clay constituted 89.3 grams (N=7). All three of the hand units dug at this site yielded burnt clay. Additionally, three trenches (N50/E100, N50/E150, and N1001E50) and five surface collections (SC A, B, C, D, and H) produced clay fragments. Isolate 1 Ceramics Isolate 1 comprises four fairly large, undiagnostic body sherds from a brownware vessel (Figure 27). Isolate 2 (Coroner's Reference No. 98-6105) Human Remains Isolate 2 contained approximately 40 burned bone fragments. These were laying, dispursed, on the ground surface and were not associated with any kind of pit or charcoal. Two of these specimens, one cranial fragment and one medial phalanx, were identified as human (Homo sapien). These specimens exhibited cracking on the outer layer of bone. Cracking, also known as checking, occurs when a body is burned with the flesh still on the bone and therefore is typical of human cremations. Identification of Isolate 2 faunal remains were made by Deborah W. Gray, consulting forensic anthropologist for the Riverside County Coroner. These remains have been given back to the ancestors of the deceased for reburial. 49 1.083 DISCUSSIONANTERPRETATION CONSIDERATION OF RESEARCH DOMAINS Chronology CA-RIV-4746 This site produced sufficient charcoal to permit radiocarbon dating but, as discussed above, the results were disappointing. A sample from Unit 6, 60-70 centimeters (Cat. No. CA002, Beta- 126673) produced a conventional radiocarbon age of 1060 f 60 BP. The one: sigma calibrated result (68% probability) puts the date at AD 960-1020. Curiously, a charcoal: sample from the 120-130 centimeter level (Cat. No. CA008, Beta-126674) of the same unit produced a later date: conventional radiocarbon age of 860 t 60 BP. This sort of problem makes the dating of the deposit spurious at best. In general, the radiocarbon dates from CA-RIV-4746 indicate a date range for the use of the site that could extend from AD 880 to 1425. As such, this site is slightly earlier than other sites dated in the vicinity (e.g. CA-RIV-4754 Loci A and B and CA-RIV-6059). Unfortunately, because the date range on the site is so wide it can not be tied in to a specific high water stand of ancient Lake Cahuilla (see Natural Setting section above). On the positive side, the site probably does not relate to either of the final two stands of the lake. It probably relates to one or more of the final three to five stands of the lake (e.g. AD 1200-1395; AD 950-1150; and AD 885). CA-RIV-4753 The only date indicator for CA-RIV-4753 is the presence of ceramics. This provides a very general date range from AD 500 to historic times. CA-RIV-4754 While no charcoal deposits of sufficient size for radiocarbon dating were acquired during investigation of Locus C at CA-RIV-4754, previous research has resulted in the dating of Loci A and B at the site (Brock, Smith, and Wake 1999). Analysis of the site indicated two phases of early use. The first phase, associated with a radiocarbon date of 340 +/- 50 BP (cal AD 1450- 1660, 2 sigma, 95% probability; Beta-108593) is related to fishing activities, during what was probably the final high stand of ancient freshwater Lake Cahuilla. The second phase of use is as a gathering and hunting area for mesquite and small game. This phase would have occurred during the lake's final recession. Radiocarbon dates indicate that exploitation of the dune terminated with a massive fire across the entire site around AD 1800. CA-RIV-4754 clearly dates to a later time period than the other dateable site on the property, CA-RIV-4746. Earlier investigations (Brock, Smith, and Wake 1999) have also indicated that it is the only site on the property, excluding the historic dirt track, that has a post -Lake Cahuilla component. 50 084 Subsistence Practices CA-RIV-4746 Comparatively speaking, the faunal assemblage from CA-RIV-4746 is relatively small and consequently its ability to address questions of subsistence is limited. Additionally, artifacts indicative of subsistence activities (e.g, identifiable ceramic vessel forms and tools used for specific exploitation and processing activities) are limited in number and are largely undiagnostic. No ground stone implements or projectile points were recovered from CA-RIV- 4746, indicating perhaps only a marginal amount of seed processing and hunting; in the area. The features on the: ground surface, comprising scatters of imported burned and unburned rocks, probably relate to food processing activities of some unknown nature. The faunal assemblage from CA-RIV-4746 indicates a primary reliance on small mammals such as cottontail rabbits, gophers, and squirrels supplemented by fish, reptiles, and a few birds. Contrasted with Loci A and B of CA-RIV-4754, which primarily relates to fishing activities during the last stand of Lake Cahuilla, perhaps this site indicates that a wider range of faunal resources was being exploited during the earlier stands of Lake Cahuilla and that subsistence activities might have become more specialized with later stands. It may also indicate: that the site was being used in periods when the lake was desiccated. There is no evidence of agriculture at CA-RIV-4746. This is consistent with the date of the site CA-RIV-4753 Evidence of subsistence activity at this site consisted of a fragment of unidentified small mammal bone and three pottery sherds. CA-RIV 4754 Locus C Subsistence activity at Locus C at CA-RIV-4754 contrasts with the activity indicated at Loci A and B of the same site, which showed a change from fishing camp to mesquite exploitation (Smith and Brock 1999). A mano and ground stone fragment indicate seed processing and, as with CA-RIV-4746, surface rock features probably indicate some form of cooking activity. Settlement Systenns None of the sites identified on the study area appear to represent habitation areas. They appear to represent specialized camps for resource exploitation primarily related to various stands of Ancient Lake Cahuilla. With the exception of Loci A and B at CA-RIV-4754 the study area appears to have been largely abandoned with the final desiccation of Lake Cahuilla. 51 085 Exchange Systems Generally speaking, the local catchment area of pre -contact La Quinta was sufficiently diverse in natural resources to discourage extensive trade relations. The only artifact recovered from the study area that is clearly imported is the Olivella barrel bead from Unit 1 at CA-RIV-4746. This appears to be an Olivella biplicata and thus would represent contact with the southern California coast. All other materials —ceramics, ►ithics, clay, faunal, and so on —would have been locally available. The consistent size of the fish remains present possibly indicates the use of traps for fishing. This technique may have been borrowed from Native American groups along the Colorado River. It is also possible that fish was being cooked in clay. This would be another trait associated with Colorado River groups. So there is possible evidence of the exchange of technologies or ideas, rather than material objects. It is quite possible that contact between the Cahuilla and Colorado River groups increased with their mutual interest in the giant freshwater Lake Cahuilla. Site Structure and Formative Processes As stated in the Research Design above, the aeolian sand dune environment is atypical of southern California archaeological contexts. Some assumptions that are taken for granted in California archaeology may not necessarily apply to the special environment under consideration. Work on this project has tended to support the hypotheses put forward regarding the nature of sites in this environment. While no new sites were discovered during the study, the structure of site CA-RIV-4746 is indicative of the nature of dune sites. The areas of site CA-RIV-4746 that exhibited surface material (blow outs, artifacts, and features) generally had no, or little, subsurface material. The area of CA-RIV-4746 that had the best stratigraphic integrity (the southern area around Unit 6) had virtually no surface indicators and was discovered through backhoe testing and confirmed with hand excavation units. This contrast between surface and subsurface site manifestations is shown in Figure 28. The buried part of CA-RIV-4746 (particularly Unit 6) produced the best charcoal samples and the finest portion of the faunal assemblage. A buried deposit, with virtually no surface indicators was also previously discovered and investigated at CA-RIV-4754, Loci A and B (Brock, Smith, and Wake 1999). This was only discovered because of the road cut into the face of the dune along Adams Street. This study has confirmed that buried sites will be present in the aeolian sand dune environment and they will have the greatest research potential. Sand accumulation will occur in the dune environment, particularly in regenerative vegetation contexts (e.g. mesquite dunes). This will result in cultural deposits being sealed and buried through time. These deposits will have the best integrity. The traditional approach of digging shallow hand units in areas where there is surface material could result in a seriously skewed interpretation of the deposit. Without some kind of a deep (e.g. backhoe), systematic testing of dune field study areas one has no basis for concluding buried sites are not present. 52 — ID86 CA=RIVo4'74'6 0 Meters 50 EXTENT OF SITE BASED ON SURFACE EVIDENCE \ N10dE150 Unit 2 NlU ma Unit 3 N10 20 t \ \ 1 ` Unit 11 \ Unit 15 . Unit 12 1 IUnit 14 N501E100+ 1NSdE150`` Units NSOE200+ -Unit 1 Nsa�2w Unit Unit 13 I;Unit 10 . Unit 9 NO/E100+ NWEtsa+ Unit 7 EXTENT OF SITE BASED ON BACKHOE TRENCHES AND UNITS NWE200+ Unit 6 /NdE250, .Unit 16 Nigure 28. The extent of surface component of CA-RIV-4746 contrasted with its subsurface component. 53 Unit 8 087 Buried sites have the greatest research potential and need to be identified and evaluated prior to project approval, riot in the course of grading monitoring. The program undertaken here has shown that it is unlikely that there are major, buried archaeological sites on the property that are as yet undiscovered. MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS SITE EVALUATION Under Appendix K of CEQA an archaeological resource is significant if it meets one of the following criteria: (a) it is associated with an event or person of recognized significance in California or American history, or recognized scientific importance in prehistory; (b) it can provide information which is both of demonstrable public interest and useful in addressing scientifically consequential and reasonable archaeological research questions; it has a special or particular quality guch as oldest, best example, largest, or last surviving example of its kind; it is at least 100 years add and possesses substantial stratigraphic integrity; or (e) it involves important research questions that historical research has shown can be answered only with archaeological methods. Additional criteria of significance is found in eligibility for the California Register of Historical Resources (CRHP), which is based upon the criteria used for Federal undertakings whereby resources are evaluated for their eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places: A. Association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history. B. Association with the lives of persons significant in our past. C. Embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction. D. Have yielded or may be likely to yield information important in history or prehistory. None of the sites investigated during this study appear to qualify as significant under the above criteria. The previously investigated portions of CA-RIV-4754, Loci A and B, were evaluated as significant and subjected to a data recovery program prior to impaction. 54 r�; RECOMMENDATIONS Given the fact that none of the remaining cultural resources identified on the ;study area can be demonstrated to be; unique or significant under CEQA or Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, archaeological monitoring of rough grading and major (e.g. sewer) trenching is recommended should preservation prove unfeasible. Because the test program only sampled the cultural resources present there is still a potential for as yet undiscovered significant resources, as well as human cremation interments, to be present. Monitoring should be conducted by, or under the direct supervision of, a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA), or equivalent. The monitor should meet the qualifications required by the City of La Quinta. The monitor should be empowered to halt or redirect earthmoving activities around any discovered resources until such resources have been examined and evaluated. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A number of individuals contributed to making this study a successful endeavor. The authors are particularly grateful to Jerry Herman and Christine di Iorio of the City of La Quinta's Community Development Agency for their thoughtful assistance throughout this study. Additional thanks are due to Paul Trujillo (Riverside County Coroner's Office), Deborah Gray (Consultant to Coroner's Office), Anthony Andreas (Cahuilla Consultant), and the staff from GR Underground, Inc. (backhoe operators). The specialists who assisted with the interpretation of the recovered material also deserve thanks: Dr. Thomas A Wake (Zooarchaeology Laboratory, UCLA) and the staff of Beta Analytic Inc. (radiocarbon dates). Special thanks goes to the field crew whose years of expertise always results in the; recovery of excellent quality data and frequently results in lively discussions about the interpretation of the material: William A. "Tony" Sawyer, Steven K. Dies, and Brenda D. Smith. REFERENCES CITED Bailey, Harry P. 1966 Weather of Southern California. California Natural History Guides 17. University of California Press, Berkeley. Barrows, David P. 1900 Ethno-botany of the Coahuilla Indians. University of Chicago Press, Chicago. Bean, Lowell John 1972 Mukat's People: The Cahuilla Indians of Southern California. University of California Press, Berkeley 1978 Cahuilla. In California, edited by Robert F. Heizer, pp. 575-5,87. Handbook of 55 089 North American Indians, Vol. 8, William G. Sturtevant, general editor. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Bean, Lowell John;, and Katherine Siva Saubel 1972 Temalpakh: Cahuilla Indian Knowledge and Usage of Plants. Malki Museum, Banning. Binford, Lewis R. 1964 A Consideration of Archaeological Research Design. American Antiquity 29:425- 441. Brock, James, and Brenda D. Smith 1998 Archaeological Investigations for the Village on the Green Project, La Quinta, California (draft). Ms. on file, City of La Quinta, La Quinta, California. Brock, James, Brenda D. Smith, and Thomas A. Wake 1999 Investigations at the Burning Dame Site (CA-RIV-4754), La Ouinta, California. AAG Monograph 1. Archaeological Advisory Group, Pioneertown, California. California Department of Parks and Recreation 1976 California Inventory of Historic Places. California Office of Historic Preservation, California Department of Parks and Recreation, Sacramento. 1989 Archaeological Resource Management Reports (ARAM: Recommended Contents and Format. California Office of Historic Preservation, California Department of Parks and Recreation, Sacramento. 1990 California Historical Landmarks. California Department of Parks and Recreation, Sacramento. Campbell, E.W.C.,, and W.H. Campbell 1935 The Pinto Basin Site: An Ancient Aboriginal Camping Groundin the California Desert. Southwest Museum Papers 9:1-51. Ebeling, Walter 1986 Handbook of Indian Foods and Fibers of Arid America. University of California Press, Berkeley, California Everson, Dicken 1992 Cultural Resources Assessment, La Quinta Center, City of La Quinta, Coachella Valley, Riverside County, California. Ms. on file, Eastern Information Center, California Historic Resources Information System, U.C. Riverside. Gifford, Edward W. 1918 Clans and Moieties in Southern California. University of California Publications in flmericarr Archaeology and Ethnology 14(2):155-219. Berkeley. 56 090 Gurrola, Larry D., and Thomas K. Rockwell 1996 Timing and Slip for Prehistoric Earthquakes on the Superstition Mountain Fault, Imperial Valley, Southern California. Journal of Geophysical Research 101(B3):5977-5985. Hopper, Lucille 1920 The Cahuilla Indians. University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 16:316-379. Berkeley. King, Chester 1990 Evolution of Chumash Society: A Comparative Study of Artifacts Used for Social System Maintenance in the Santa Barbara Channel Region Before A.D. 1804. (Revision of 1982 dissertation). In The Evolution of North American Indians [series], David Hurst Thomas, editor. Garland Publishing, New York. Kroeber, A.J. 1908 Ethnography of the Cahuilla Indians. University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 8:29-68. Berkeley. 1925 Handbook of the Indians of California. 1976 reprint edition. Dover Publications, Inc., New York. Laylander, Don 1997 The Last Days of Lake Cahuilla: The Elmore Site. Pacific Coast Archaeological Society Quarterly 33(1 and 2): 1-138. Quinn, Harry M. 1997 Reconnaissance Geologic Investigation along the Old Shoreline of "Ancient Lake Cahuilla" Exposed in a Pipeline Trench Along Avenue 48 Just 'West of Jefferson Street, La Quinta, California. Ms. on file. Archaeological Advisory Group, Pioneertown, California. Rockwell, Thomas 1995 Lecture to the Coachella Valley Archaeological Society at the Palm Springs Desert Museum, March 17, 1995. Schaefer, Jerry 1994 The Challenge of Archaeological Research in the Colorado Desert: Recent Approaches and Discoveries. Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology 16(1):60-80. Smith, Brenda D., and James Brock 1999 From Shoreline to Mesquite Dune: Changing Subsistence Strategies at CA-RIV- 4754, La Quinta. Proceeding of the Societyfor California Archaeology 12, in press. 57 091 Strong, William Duncan 1929 Aboriginal Society in Southern California. University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 26:1-349. Berkeley. Warren, Claude N. 1984 The Desert Region. In California Archaeology, by Michael J. Moratto, pp. 339- 430. Academic Press, New York. Warren, Claude N., and Robert H. Crabtree 1986 Prehistory of the Southwestern Area. In Great Basin, edited by Warren L. D'Azevedo, pp. 183-193. Handbook of North American Indians, Vol. 11, William C. Sturtevant, general editor. Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C. Waters, Michael R. 1983 Late Holocene Lacustrine Chronology and Archaeology of Ancient Lake Cahuilla, California. Quaternary Research 19:373-387. Wilke, Philip J. 1978 Late Prehistoric Human Ecology at Lake Cahuilla, Coachella l4alley, California. Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility No. 38. University of California, Berkeley. 1980 Prehistoric Weir Fishing on Recessional Shorelines of Lake Cahuilla, Salton Basin, Southeastern California. Proceedings of the Desert Fishes Council 11:101-102. 1988 The: Natural and Cultural Environment. In Archaeological Investigations at CA- RIV-1179, CA-RIV-2823, and CA-RIV-2827, La Quinta, Riverside County, California. Coyote Press, Salinas, California. 58 092 APPENDIX 1: PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS AAG STAFF James Brock (President/Chief Archaeologist) BA (Anthropology) UC Santa Barbara • MA (Archaeology) University of Durham, Durham, England • Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA), i.e. listed on Registry of Professional Archaeologists, formerly the Society of Professional Archaeologists (SOPA). SOPA certifications in field research, theoretical/archival research, and historical archaeology. • 18 years of experience as a Principal Investigator on cultural resource management projects throughout southern California William A. Sawyer (Senior Archaeologist) • BA (Anthropology) CSU Long Beach • Graduate work, CSU Long Beach • 20 years of cultural resource management experience throughout southern and central California Brenda D. Smith (Research Associate/Archaeologist) • BS (Anthropology) UC Riverside • MA candidate, American Indian Studies, UCLA • 8 years of cultural resource management experience in southern California Steven K. Dies (Archaeologist) • BA (Anthropology) Humboldt State University • 20 years of cultural resource management experience in California SPECIALIST Thomas A. Wake, Ph.D., Director, Zooarchaeology Laboratory, UCLA 59 093 APPENDIX 2: RESULTS OF RADIOCARBON DATING 094 REPORT OF RADIOCARBON DATING ANALYSES Mr. James Brock January 14, 1999 Archaeological Advisory Group February 24, 1999 Sample Data Measured C13"C12 Conventional p C14 Age Ratio C14 Age (*) Beta-126673 1060 +/- 60 BP -25.0* o/oo 1060 +/- 60* BP SAMPLE #: RIV4746CA02 ANALYSIS: radiometric -standard MATERIALPRETREATIvIGNT:(eharred material): acid/alkali/acid COMMENT: the small sample was given extended counting time Beta-126674 860 4/- 60 BP -25.0* o/oo 860 +,- 60* BP SAMPLE #: RIV4746CA08 ' NALYSIS: radiometric -standard iTERIAlJPRETREATIvIENT:(charred material): acid/alkali/acid Beta-126675 610 +/- 50 BP -25.0* o/oo 610 +/- 50* BP SAMPLE #: RIV4746CA12. ANALYSIS: radiometric -standard MATERIALPRETREATIVIENT:(chafred material): acid/alkali/acid NOTE: It is important to read the calendar calibration information and to use the calendar calibrated results (reported separateb,) when interpreting these results in AD/BC terms. NOTE: One additional sample (RIV4753CA01) was cancelled as requested Dates are reported as RCYBP (radiocarbon years before present, Measured C131C12 ratios were calculated relative to the PDB-1 "present" = 1950A.D.). By International convention, the modern international standard and the RCYBP ages were normalized to reference standard was 95% of the C14 content of the National -25 per mil. If the ratio and age are accompanied by an (`), then the Bureau of Standards' Oxalic Acid & calculated using the Libby C14 C131C12 value was estimated, based on values typical of the half life (5568 years). Quoted errors represent 1 standard deviation material type. The quoted results are NOT calibrated to calendar statistics (68% probability) 8. are based on combined measurements years. Calibration to calendar years should be calculated using of the sample, background, and modern reference standards. the Conventional C14 age. 09 9 5 61 lJ CALIBRATION OF RADIOCARBON AGE TO CALENDAR YEARS (Variables:estimated C13/C12=-25:1ab mult.=1) Laboratory Number: Conventional radiocarbon age* Calibrated results: (2 sigma, 95% probability) CI3/Cl2 ratio estimated Intercept data: Intercept of radiocarbon age with calibration curve: 1 sigma calibrated results: (68 /o probability) 1060 2 EO 6P 1300 1200 a m_ m m 1100 C O L N 0 O V 1000 rp; Beta-126673 1060 t 60 BP cal AD 880 to 1045 and cal AD 1105 to 1115 cal AD 995 cal AD 960 to 1020 Soo COO Woo I cal RO CHAPPED MATEPIPL 1200 References: Pretorin Calibration Curve for Short Lived Samples Vogel, J. C, Fuls, A., Visser, E. and Becker, B., 1993, Radiocarbon 35(1), p73-86 A Simplified Approach to Calibrating C14 Dates Talina, A. S and Vogel, J. C, 1993, Radiocarbon 35(2), p317-322 Calibration - 1993 Slaiver, M., Long, A., Kra, R. S. and Devine, J. M, 1993, Radiocarbon 35(I) Calibration of Radiocarbon Dates for the Late Pleistocene Using TIM Dates ou Stalagmites Vogel, JC, Kronfeld, J, 1997, Radiocarbon 39(/), p17-32 Beta Analytic Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory 4985 S.W. 74th Court, Miami, Florida 33155 ■ Tel: (305)667-5167 s Fax: (305)663-0964 ■ E-mail: beta(b),radiocarbon.com 62 096 CALIBRATION OF RADIOCARBON AGE TO CALENDAR YEARS (Variables:estimated C13/C12=-25:lab multi 1) Laboratory Number: Conventional radiocarbon age* Calibrated results: (2 sigma, 95% probability) C131C12 ratio estimated Intercept data: 1000 a Soo m c 0 n 800 0 0 a m 0 Intercept of radiocarbon age with calibration curve: 1 sigma calibrated results: (68% probability) Beta-126674 860 t 60 BP cal AD 1030 to 1280 cal AD 1205 cal AD 1065 to 1075 and cal AD 1155 to 1250 860 2 60 BP CHAPPED MATERIAL 1100 12CO 1300 1400 cal AO References: Pretoria Calibration Curve jar Short Lived Samples Vogel, J C, Fuls, A., Visser, E. and Becker, R, 1993, Radiocarbon 35(l), p73-86 A Simpl, f ed Approach to Calibrating C14 Dates Tal,ma, A. S. and Vogel, J. C, 1993, Radiocarbon 35(2), p317-322 Calibration -1993 Stulver, M, Long, A., Kra, R. S. and Devine, J. M., 1993, Radiocarbon 35(l) Calibration of Radiocarbon Dates for the Late Pleistocene Using TIM Dates on Stalagmiles Vogel, J. C, Kronfeld, J., 1997, Radiocarbon 39(1), p27-32 Beta Analytic Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory 4985 S. W. 74th Court, Miami, Florida 33155 o Tel: (305)667-5167 ■ Fax: (305)663-0964 u E-mail: beta@radiocarbon.com 63 097 CALIBRATION OF RADIOCARBON AGE TO CALENDAR YEARS (Variables:estimated C131C12=-25:lab mult.=1) Laboratory Number: Beta-126675 Conventional radiocarbon age*: 610 t 50 BP Calibrated results: cat AD 1290 to 1425 (2 sigma, 95% probability) " CI3/Cl2 ratio estimated Intercept data: Intercepts of radiocarbon age with calibration curve: cat AD 1325 and cat AD 1340 and cal AD 1390 1 sigma calibrated results: cat AD 1300 to 1410 (68% probability) 610±c10 P.P Soo a 700 m 500 400 I'00 14CO cal AD CHOPPED MATEMAL References: Pretoria Calibration Curve for Short Lived Samples Vogel, J C, Fuls, A., Visser, E. and Becker, B., 1993, Radiocarbon 35(l), p73-86 A Simpi f ed Approach to Calibrating C14 Data Taboo, A. S. and Vogel, J C, 1993, Radiocarbon 35(2), p:i 17-322 Calibration -1993 Stuiver, M, Long, A., Kra. R. S. and Devine, J. M, 1993, Radiocarbon 35(1) Calibration of Radiocarbon Dates far the Late Pleistocene Using TIM, Dales on Stalagmites Vogel, J.C., Kronfeld, J. 1997, Radiocarbon 39(l), p27-32 Beta Analytic Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory 4985 S. W. 74th Court, Miami, Florida 33155 o Tel: (305)667-5167 ■ Fax: (305)663-0964 ■ E-mail: beta(jadiocarbon.com 64 098 APPENDIX 3: FAUNAL ANALYSIS REPORT 65 099 Identification and Analysis of Vertebrate Faunal Remains from Three Sites in the Northern Salton Basin, Riverside County, California. By Thomas A. Wake, Ph.D. Introduction A variety of vertebrate skeletal remains including fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals have been recovered from surface and subsurface archaeological investigations of three archaeological sites (RIV-4746, RIV-4753, and RIV-4754) in the northern Salton Basin, Riverside county. These sites contain various indications of occupation, including good stratification in some cases, features, a few surface ceramic sherds, sparse ground and chipped stone artifacts, and numerous bone fragments. Research Questions This analysis will specifically identify and address the dietary patterns observed in the vertebrate faunal assemblage. Interpretation will focus on what these patterns suggest in terms of resource focus, vertebrate acquisition, and processing. Any changes in species frequencies or relative abundances will be discussed in terms of their relation to the desiccation of Ancient Lake Cahuilla and concomitant shifts in vertebrate subsistence patterns. To identify resource focus and any shifts, data (in the form of charts and tables) detailing which animal species are represented in this assemblage are presented and discussed. Methods Vertebrate faunal remains were recovered from three sites; RIV-4746, RIV-4753, and RIV-4754. These remains come from a combination of 1m2 excavation units, and controlled surface collection. All of the sediment excavated at these sites was dry screened through 3 mm (1/8 in.) mesh. Recovered artifact classes were sorted and bagged separately. The remains in question arrived at the UCLA Zooarchaeology Laboratory in excavation bags labeled with respective Unit and Level provenience information. Analysis in this report focuses exclusively on the available vertebrate faunal remains recovered from all of the above mentioned units. Identifications The non -fish vertebrate skeletal remains from these sites were identified and analyzed by the staff of the UCLA Zoo archaeology laboratory including Mercedes Duque, Lady Harrington, Judith Porcasi, Wendy Teeter, and Thomas Wake. All identifications were confirmed using the comparative osteological collection housed in the UCLA Institute of Archaeology Zooarchaeology. Laboratory. Each bone specimen was identified to the most discrete taxonomic level possible. More detailed taxonomic assignment is limited to elements with sufficient distinguishing features allowing identification to the given level. Bones lacking discrete .e 100 morphological features were sorted into broad size categories by class. Size categories are defined as follows: for mammals, large represents deer size or greater, medium represents smaller than deer but larger than jackrabbit, and small represents jackrabbit or smaller; for birds large represents goose size or greater, medium represents ducks to roadrunners, and small represents jays or smaller. The fish bone specimens were identified by Thomas Wake using the fish comparative osteological collection housed in the UCLA Institute of Archaeology Zooarchaeology Laboratory, augmented by specimens on loan from the California Academy of Sciences, in San Francisco, and comparative specimens housed in the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History (LACMNH), following Gobalet's (1992) methods. Less identifiable fish were classed as Osteichthyes (bony fish). For each discretely identifiable bone a series of data were recorded including catalog number, complete provenience and screen size information, skeletal element, part of element, side, age, and modification. :Data recorded regarding modification of bone specimens include evidence of burning, cut marks, gnaw marks, and indications of tool or other artifact manufacture. The bone was counted and weighed to the nearest 0.01 g using electronic scales. Archival quality paper tags with the above information are included in each individual bag of analyzed bone specimens. Complete detailed information for each site is provided in the accompanying catalogs. Results The results of laboratory identification and analysis are presented below. Findings are organized by locus, in consecutive order. A table listing the identified taxonomic categories, genera and species is included for each site. Figures are included for sites with larger sample sizes and higher diversity in order to highlight any visible patterning. RIV-4746 This site produced the most numerous and diverse vertebrate faunal assemblage of the three sites examined in this report. A total of 204 bone specimens (19.75 g) recovered from RIV-4746 have been identified and analyzed (Table 1). Fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals are all well represented at this site. No amphibians are identified. The vertebrate faunal assemblage is dominated by mammals, the most common of which are cottontail rabbits (Genus Sylvilagus). Fish, predominantly razorback suckers (Xyrauchen texanus), birds, and reptiles, mostly desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizi), follow (Figures 1, 2). Thirty one various taxonomic categories are represented (including size class categories). Sixteen vertebrate genera, and fourteen species are identified (Table 1), including three genera and species of fish, five genera and four species of reptiles, one family of birds, and eight genera and seven species of mammals. The remaining taxonomic categories consist of bone fragments that are identifiable only to the Family or Order level, or relative size class category. 67 -1 01 Fish Fish remains have been reported from a number of sites associated with the northern shoreline of Ancient Lake Cahuilla (Follett 1988; Gobalet 1992, 1994; Moffitt and Moffitt 1996; Wilke 1978). The composition ofthe RIV-4746 archaeological fish fauna, while somewhat limited in diversity and number, is representative of the region and comparable to other known assemblages. Fish represent the third most common class vertebrate animals by count, and by weight, in the RI V-4746 archaeofaunal sample. A total of eight (0.66 g) fish bone specimens are identified (Table 1). Three different species of fish are represented. Most (N=7, 0.56 g) of the bone represents two species of cypriniform fishes (Order Cypriniformes), the bonytail (Family Cyprinidae, Gila elegans, N=1, 0.04 g) and the razorback sucker (Family Catostomidae, Xyrauchen lexanus, N=6, 0.52 g). One upper precaudal vertebra representing Striped mullet (Perciformes, Mugilidae, Mugil cephalus, 0.10 g) is also identified. Tablet: Identifie:d Vertebrate Species from CA-RIV-4746 Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Gila elegans Chub - Bonytail 1 .04 Catostomidae Xyrauchen texanus Sucker - Razorback 6 ------------ .52 Cypriniformes 7 .56 Perciformes Mugilidae Mugil cephalus Mullet - Striped 1 ----- --------- .10 Perciformes 1 .10 Total Fish ----- -------- 8 .66 Testudinata Testudinidae Gopherus agassizii Tortoise - Desert 10 5.27 Testudinata Turtle Order 2 .13 Testudinata 12 5.40 Squamata - Sauria Iguanidae Dipsosaurus dorsalis Iguana - Desert 1 .01 Sceloporus magister Lizard - Desert Spiny 1 .02 Squamata - Sauria 2 .03 W. 102 Table 1: Identified Species from CA-RIV-4746 (cont.) Squamata - Serpentes Colubridae Colubrid Snake Family 2 .06 Pituophis melanoleucus Snake -- Gopher 3 .38 viperidae Crotalus sp Rattlesnake - Unid 1 .04 Serpentes Snake suborder - Unid 3 ------------- .12 Squamata - Serpentes 9 .60 Total Reptile 23 6.03 Anseriformes Anatidae Duck, Geese, Swan Family 1 .14 Anseriformes 1 .14 Aves, sm Bird - Small 2 .03 Total Bird 3 .17 Lagomorpha Leporidae Hare, Rabbit Family 10 .47 Lepus califor.nicus Jackrabbit - Black -tailed 3 .45 Sylvilagus audubonii Cottontail - Audubon's 11 .90 Sylvilagus sp Rabbit - Unid 7 .41 Lagomorpha 31 2.23 Rodentia Sciuridae Squirrel, Chipmunk Family 1 .02 Ammospermophilus leucurus Ground Squirrel - Antelope 8 .39 Geomyidae Thomomys bottae Pocket Gopher -- Botts's 18 .50 Cricetidae Neotoma cinerea Wood Rat - Bushy -tailed 1 .05 Neotoma sp Wood Rat - Unid 1 .05 Rodentia Rodent - Unid 3 .04 Rodentia, sm Rodent - Small 6 .14 Rodentia 38 1.29 Carnivora Canidae Canis sp Dog, Wolf, coyote - Unid 1 4.00 Felidae Felis rufus Bobcat. 2 •34 ----- ---------- Carnivora 3 4.34 Table 1: Identified Species from CA-RIV-4746 (cont.) Artiodactyla Cervidae Odocoileus he:mionus Deer - Mule 2 ---- -------- 1.98 Artiodactyla 2 1.98 Mammalia Mammal - Unid 8 •49 Mammalia, lg Mammal - Large 1 .33 Mammalia, and Mammal - Medium 1 .11 Mammalia, sm Mammal - Small 86 -------------- 2.12 96 3.05 Total Mammal 1.70 12.89 TOTAL TAXA 204 19.75 Preservation of the fish bones is fair, but some specimens are quite brittle, and some appear weathered. Vertebral elements dominate this fish assemblage. None of the more fragile individual head bones are identified. While most Salton Basin archaeological ichthyofaunas are dominated solely by more durable vertebral elements (Follett 1988; Moffitt and Moffitt 1996), headbones have been found and described from a few sites, notably RIV-6059 and RIV-6060 (Wake 1998). No fish bones are burned. The presence of fish bones suggests that whole fish may have been transported to the site for consumption. No cut marks were observed on any of the fish bones. Amphibians No amphibian remains are identified from this site. Reptiles A variety of reptile; taxa are present in the northern Salton Basin area, and many of them are represented in the RIV-4746 vertebrate archaeofauna (Table 1). Two lizard bones, nine snake vertebrae, and 10 gopher tortoise (Gopherus agassizi) bones are identified from this site. It is no surprise that lizards are represented in this sample, since many other La Quinta area sites have yielded them„ usually in low frequencies. Two species identified here, represented by one specimen each; the; desert iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) and the desert spiny lizard (Sceloporus magister). Dipsosaurus is particularly common in the La Quinta area and the spiny lizard is more suggestive of rocky areas (Stebbins 1985). Desert iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis), the zebra -tailed lizard (Callisaurus draconoides), the desert spiny lizard, chuckwallas (Sauromahis obelus), and 70 104 the fringe -toed lizard (Uma ef inornata) have all been identified at various other local sites (Wake) - Most of the snake vertebrae identified from RIV-4746 are assigned to the Colubridae (Non- venomous snakes, N=S, 0.44 g). Of those, three specimens are identified as gopher snake (Pituophis melanoleucus, 0.38 g). One rattlesnake (Genus Crotalus) vertebra is identified (0.14 g). All of the snake: genera identified here are still commonly found in the La Quinta area (Stebbins 1985). The individual snake vertebrae are not burned or modified in any detectable way, and therefore could be intrusive. Snake remains, including burned specimens, have been reported from a number of sites in the northern Coachella Valley, so the inclusion of serpents in the diet of the site's occupants cannot be discounted (Hudson 1993; Hudson and Sanchez 1996; Zooarchaeology Laboratory 1992). The ten desert tortoise (and 2 other turtle) bones identified in the RIV-4746 reptile assemblage are interesting for a. variety of reasons. No turtles, not even the hearty desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizi), are presently common in the La Quinta area (Stebbins 1985). It is well known that desert tortoises were consumed by desert peoples (Schneider and Everson 1989). However, desert tortoise remains have been positively identified from only four other sites in the northern Salton Basin area (Schneider and Everson 1989; Wake 1998a, Wake 1998b). Eight of the tortoise specimens are carapace fragments, two of which is unmistakable and identified as perihperals #'s 5 (right side) and 6 (left side, burned). Another tortoise specimen is unmistakable as well, the anteriormarginal portion of the left xiphiplastron. Consumption of turtles at other local sites is suggested by the presence of their remains in general and especially burned plastron fragments (Hudson 1993, Hudson and Sanchez 1996; Zooarchaeology Laboratory 1992; Wake 1996, 1998). No aquatic turtle species such as the western pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata), or any of the Colorado River turtles (Kinosternon sonoriense and Trionyx spiniferus) are identified in this collection or any other reported faunal assemblage from the local area. The lack of aquatic turtle elements at this site and in the general area is quite interesting, especially in the light of the large number of fish remains that suggest the presence of suitable, calm, freshwater habitat, which are ideal conditions for western pond turtles or Colorado River turtles. Birds Three bird bone specimens are identified from RIV-4746 (Table 1). One of these represents ducks (Family Ana.tidae). The two remaining bird bones are identified only to relative size classes. Ducks are strongly associated with lacustrine or estuarine environments, and their presence, and association with fish remains, suggests exploitation of such habitats. Remains of greater varieties of bird species, some of which are lacustrine, have been reported from other archaeological sites in the northern Salton Basin area (Hudson 1993; Hudson and Sanchez 1996, Wake 1997, 1998; Zooarchaeology Laboratory 1992). 71 I.. I_ 105 Mammals Mammals (N=170, 12.89 g) represent the majority of the vertebrate faunal assemblage from RIV- 4746 (Table 1, Figures 1-4 ). A total of eight mammal genera and seven species are identified. Rodents are the most diverse mammal order with three genera and three species represented. Lagomorphs (rabbits) are represented by two genera and species (Lepus californicus - the black - tailed jackrabbit, and Sylvilagus auduboni - Audubon's cottontail). Carnivores are represented by two genera and one; species (Lynx rufus - bobcat, and Canis sp., most likely coyote). Artiodactyls (even -toed ungulates) are represented by two specimens identified as black tailed. deer (Odocoileus hemionus, 1.98 g). Mammal remains classifiable only to relative size classes (N=96, 3.05 g) are the most numerous, with small mammals (N=86, 2.12 g) dominating. Unidentified large and medium mammal remains constitute the smallest of these less identifiable groups in the mammal assemblage. The most numerous identified mammal taxa in order of relative abundance are cottontail rabbits (Genus Sylvilagus, N=18, 1.31 g), pocket gophers (Genus Thomomys, N=18, 0.50 g), antelope ground squirrels (Genus Ammospermophilus, N=8, 0.39 g), hares (Genus Lepus, N=3, 0.45 g), and woodrats (Genus Neotoma, N=2, 0.10 g). All of these taxa were probably consumed by the site occupants, and none of them are burned. Rabbit remains, especially cottontails, are common constituents of archaeofaunas in the local area and many other California desert mammal archaeofaunas (Christenson 1990; Hudson 1993; Hudson and Sanchez 1996; Sutton 1991, 1993; Zooarchaeology Laboratory 1992; Wake 1997, 1998). The Cahuilla are known to have exploited rabbits (Bean 1978). The low number of jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) specimens (N=3, 0.45 g) is somewhat surprising for a desert locale such as this, since they are common in the local area and often well represented in other neighboring archaeological assemblages (Christenson 1990; Hudson 1993; Hudson and Sanchez 1996; Sutton 1991, 1993; Zooarchaeology Laboratory 1992). The majority of the burned bones in this assemblage are mammal (Table 2). The 86 (2.12 g) indeterminate small mammal specimens most likely represent rodents. Although common and known as burrowers, the various identifiable rodent specimens (see Table 1) could also represent dietary constituents. Bean (1978:578) mentions the consumption of "rabbits and other small game ...... probably rodents. Rodent remains are well represented in other reported faunal assemblages from the northern Coachella Valley (Hudson 1993; Hudson and Sanchez 1996; Wake 1997, 1998; Zooarchaeology Laboratory 1992). Bone tools One bone artifact was encountered; a ground and polished sharply pointed object. This artifact is made of large mammal bone and most likely represents the tip (distal end) of an awl. Sharply pointed awls could have been used in basketry manufacture or other practices demanding finely 72 106 pointed tools. All modified artifacts, burned or otherwise, are presented in Table: 2. Table 2: Modified Bone for CA-RIV-4746 Unit Level SC Taxon Element B P: Comments Ct Weight ________________ __ -------------------- -------------- _ - ------------------ 1 010-020 Mamma l is indeterminate B .24 14 Gopherus agassizii peripheral k6 B 1 .S7 14 Mammalia, lg indeterminate is awl tip fragment 1 .33 14 000-010 Qiocoileus hemionus metatarsal E 1 .29 17 Canis sp vert,cervical B 1 4.00 ------- a 5.43 B=bumed; W- vorked RIV-4753 Only one unidentified small mammal bone fragment is identified from this site. It may or may not represent dietary refuse. It could also easily represent a naturally occurring bit of a rodent. Little more can be said. Table 3: Identified Species from CA-RIV-4753 Mammalia, sm Mammal - Small 1 .07 ----- --------- TOTAL TAXA 1 .07 RIV-4754 Only one unidentified mammal bone fragment is identified from this site. It may or may not represent dietary refuse. It could also easily represent a naturally occurring bit of a rodent or other small mammal. Little more can be said. Table 4: Identified Species from CA-RW-4754 Mammalia Mammal. - Unid 1 .09 ----- ---------- TOTAL TAXA 1 .09 Discussion Salton Basin Fishes The bonytail and razorback are native to the Colorado River system. Both of these species were 73 107 originally most common in the rapidly flowing, turgid waters of the lower Colorado River, from the Grand Canyon down. Gobalet (1992:76) believes that ancient Lake Cahuilla, fed by nutrient laden Colorado River waters, was a plankton rich environment and could have supported large numbers of filter feeding razorbacks and omnivorous bonytail and striped mullet. The striped mullet is a euryhaline species that ascends the Colorado from the Gulf of California. The only predatory fish species known from northern Salton basin archaeological sites, the Colorado squawfish (Ptychoc:heilus lucius), and the machete (Flops affrnis) could both have feasted on young bonytail and razorbacks. However, no squawfish or machete are identified in any of the 322 series assemblages. Gobalet and Wake (n.d.) report the discovery of a single pupfish (Cyprinodon) vertebra from a non -archaeological late Holocene paleontological assemblage, and suggests that small fish species such as woundfish (Plagopterus argentissimus), Gila topminnow (Poeciliopsis occicientahs), and desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularis) might eventually turn up in archaeological assemblages when the possibility of their presence is considered prior to excavation (1 mm mesh screens should be used to process representative samples). It is generally believed that the fish species found at these and other local archaeological sites were delivered to ancient Lake Cahuilla during the late Holocene, when the Colorado River periodically left its banks and flooded into the Salton Basin, filling it and dramatically changing the local environment from desert to lacustrine (Wilke 1976:194). At least four, and possibly five, individual lake filling events are believed to have occurred throughout the late Holocene (Hubbs and Miller 1948; Laylander 1995; Schaefer 1994; Sutton and Wilke 1988; Waters 1983; Wilke 1976). During its high stand, Lake Cahuilla lay at 12 m above sea level, had a depth of 95 m, and covered over 5700 km2 (Waters 1983:374). These lacustrine intervals of roughly 100 to 250 years must have had profound influences on past human subsistence and settlement patterns. Razorback sucker (Xvrauchen texanus) Razorback suckers, the most common fish species at RIV-4746, are also well represented at many other Salton Basin archaeological sites (Gobalet 1992, 1994; Gobalet and Wake n.d.). Razorbacks are one of the two most common archaeological fish species in the region. In many sites razorbacks are the dominant fish species (Follett 1988; Gobalet 1992, 1994; Moffitt and Moffitt 1996, Willie 1978). Razorback suckers have adapted to meet the ecological conditions found in the various swift water drainages that constitute the lower Colorado River system (Moyle 1976:173). Razorbacks are relatively robust, but for a sucker (Catostomidae) they have a relatively streamlined body, with a prominent hump behind and above the head, capped by a sharp keel, and large fins. It is believed that the fishes shape is a result of adaptation to the swift water of the lower Colorado River and helps the fish to maneuver and stay on the bottom in the face of strong currents during seasonal floods (Moyle 1976). Razorback suckers are filter feeders and therefore quite selective in their food choices. They are primarily planktivores, straining out most small food items floating in the water column with their 74 108 long gill rakers and specialized pharyngeal teeth (Papoulias and Minkley 1990). Gut contents of 34 preserved razorbacks from Lake Mojave included planktonic crustaceans, rotifers, diatoms, detritus, and filamentous algae (Marsh and Papoulias 1987:117). These fish grow to a large size, attaining average lengths of up to 1 m and weights of 7 kg, but fish over 60 cm and 4.5 kg are unusual (Moyle 19i'6:230). Spawning typically occurs in the spring in tributaries or shallow lake waters over silty sand, gravel, or rocks (Moyle 1976:230). Spawning females are often attended by groups of up to 12 males (Moyle 1976:230). Due to relatively small effective sample size, no one sample of razorback bones was large enough to permit analysis of size and age, like those performed on the performed on the bonytail (Gila elegans) bone from RIV-4754 and RIV-6060 (Wake 1997, 1998). While proatlas vertebrae were identified, time constraints did not allow revisiting Casteel's (1976:138-141) analysis of growth rates. One observation is apparent though. The razorback bones from RIV-4746 are all of relatively uniform size; none are strikingly small and none are really large. Gobalet and Wake (n.d.) note that this pattern is common throughout virtually all known Salton Basin Archaeological fish assemblages and believe that this uniformity in size may have something to do with procurement practices (see below). BoMail (Gila elegans Bonytail are well represented at many other Salton Basin archaeological sites (Gobalet 1992, 1994; Gobalet and Wake n.d.; Moffitt and Moffitt 1996). Bonytail are one of the two most common archaeological fish species in the region in general, the other being razorback sucker (Follett 1980; Gobalet 1992, 1994; Wilke 1978). Bonytail are part of a three species complex (Gila cypher, Gila elegans, Gila robusta) that have adapted to meet specific ecological conditions found in the various drainages that constitute the lower Colorado River system (Moyle 1976:173). Possible hybridization resulting in apparently intermediate forms has caused some confusion over the placement of species in this complex, and some have considered Gila elegans and Gila robusta to be sister subspecies of Gila robusta (i.e. Gila robusta elegans and Gila robusta robusta; Gobalet 1992:74; Kaeding et al. 1986; Holden and Stalnaker 1970). However, it is now generally accepted that Gila elegans is a valid species (Gobalet 1992, 1994; Moyle 1976). Bonytail have a streamlined body, a hump behind and above the head, large fins and a long tail. It is believed that the shape of these fishes is a result of adaptation to the swift water of the lower Colorado River and helps them to maneuver and stay on the bottom in the face of strong currents during seasonal floods (Moyle 1976). Bonytail are not selective in their food choices, eating virtually anything in or on the water including filamentous algae, plant debris, insects, insect larvae, planktonic animals, and occasional small fish (Vanicek and Kramer 1969). These fish grow quickly in the first three years of their lives, attaining average lengths of 158 mm and weights of 31 g by their third year (Vanicek and Kramer 1969:200). Growth slows after their fourth year, when they reach sexual maturity and begin to spawn at sizes of 258 mm and 129 g. 75 log Bonytail have been observed spawning over gravel beds, broadcasting their adhesive eggs widely (7onez and Sumner 1954). Unfortunately, no bonytail samples were large enough to provide statistically significant samples for length estimations like those from RIV-4754 and RIV-6060 (Wake 1997, 1998). As with the razorback suckers, the bonytail from RIV-4746 was relatively good sized. No strikingly small individuals appear. This is consistent with observations reported from various other local area sites (Gobalet 1992, 1994; Gobalet and Wake n.d.; Wake 1997, 1998). Striped mullet (Muni, 1 ce by us Ken Gobalet (1992., 1994, Personal Communication, 1997) indicates that striped mullet are generally rare in Lake Cahuilla area archaeological fish assemblages, although they were apparently much more common in the Salton Basin earlier in the 20th century (Dill 1944, Moyle 1976). Follett (1988) has reported finding large numbers of striped mullet otoliths (up to 220 saggitae) at various locations in the Salton Basin. The striped mullet is a marine species that breeds in offshore waters, although Moyle (1976:342) implies that some spawning may occur in fresh water. Striped mullet typically ascend up to 190 km up the Colorado River and return to the Gulf of California to spawn. Striped mullet are thick bodied fish with broad, flat heads and small, terminal mouths. They have long gill rakers and typically filter fine detritus that they scoop from the bottom in shallow waters. Ancient Lake Cahuilla would have represented fine habitat for this species with its calm waters and high productix6ty. The representation of striped mullet (typically the third most common species) at RIV4746 consistent with its relative abundance at other Salton Basin archaeological localities (Follett 1988; Gobalet 1992, 1994; Gobalet and Wake n.d.' Wake 1997, 1998). As with the other two fish species identified in this report, all the striped mullet specimens represent good sized, certainly not small, individuals. Procurement and P'rocessin While low in number, fish were clearly a part of the diet at RIV-4746. However, their acquisition by the site's occupants is somewhat problematic. Bean (1970:68) notes in his dissertation that "three or four hundred years ago, fish played an important part in the Cahuilla diet." Bean (1970:68) mentions that both the use of nets and bows and arrows to capture fish is recorded in Cahuilla oral history. While it is certainly possible that bows and arrows were used to capture fish along the shore line of ancient Lake Cahuilla, the number of individuals represented at this site suggests some other means of mass capture. Bean (1970:68) also briefly mentions fish traps or weirs as possible methods of capture. It is possible that nets were used for capture. It is perhaps more likely, however, that nets were used in combination with stone weirs. Numerous U or V-shaped rock alignments are found along successively descending ancient Lake Cahuilla shorelines. The purpose of these alignments has been debated for many years, but most 110 of the literature interprets or accepts them as fish traps or weirs (Gobalet and Wake n.d.; Treganza 1945; Wilke 1980). It is assumed that these alignments served as breakwaters to protect localized areas of shoreline from wave action and provide calmer water that would more attractive to spawning razorbacks. Others have proposed that the rock alignments served as supports for slight pole structures covered with branches that would provide calm water and shelter attractive to fishes, and also be difficult for large fish to escape from if surprised (Gobalet and Wake n.d.). Either scenario would allow for the capture of mature razorbacks, since it is well known that they congregate in large numbers in shallow waters over gravel beds (Moffitt and Moffitt 1996:102; similar to proposed ancient Lake Cahuilla shore environments where wave action would keep sediment from building on sand and gravel beds, e.g. Gobalet 1992:76; Gobalet and Wake n.d.). Such constructions are designed to catch larger mature fishes and would be ideal for procuring fish of the size indicated by these samples. The use of large mesh nets alone or in combination with weirs or traps also explains the absence of bones from small fishes in these faunal assemblages. No specimens representing fingerling sized fish are present in the available fish remains. Bones from small fishes have been recovered from Salton Basin archaeological sites, and were clearly consumed by people since some have been extracted from human coprolites (Farrell 1988; Follet 1988; Sutton and Wilke 1988; Wilke 1978). Smaller, immature fishes and fingerlings could easily hide or swim between parts of the stone barriers and escape capture. Fingerlings could also easily escape large mesh nets designed to capture mature fish. The fact that no small fishes are represented in the RIV-4746 assemblage, along with the relatively large average skeletal lengths suggested, strongly supports the hypothesized use of some size -graded mass capture technique such as netting and/or the use of traps or weirs. Reptiles A variety of reptile: taxa are present in the northern Salton Basin region, and many of them are represented in the RIV-4746 vertebrate archaeofauna. Two lizard species, two snakes, and desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizi) are identified. It is somewhat surprising that so few lizards are represented in the RIV-4746 archaeofaunal sample, since many other La Quinta area sites have yielded them. Desert iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis), zebra -tailed lizard (Callisaurus draconoides), desert spiny lizard (Sceloporus magister), chuckwalla (Sauromalus ohesus), horned lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos), and fiinge-toed lizard (Uma cf. inornata) have all been identified at various other local sites. Dipsosaunrs is particularly common in other La Quinta area sites, sometimes charred or burned, suggesting possible dietary inclusion at a residual level. Since they are unburned lizards do not appear to have been included in the dietary refuse at RIV-4746, and probably represent naturally occurring intrusive individuals, although they may have been eaten elsewhere. A greater number of snake remains are identified from RIV-4746. Two species, gopher snakes and rattlesnakes are present at RIV-4746. Species identified at other northern Salton basin sites include gopher snake (Pituophis melanoleucus), coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum), glossy snake (Arizona elegans), rattlesnake (Genus Crotalus), long nosed snakes (Rhinocheilus 77 111 lecontei), patch nosed snakes (Salvadora hexalepis), kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getulus), and rosy boas (Lichamira trivirgata) (Hudson 1993; Hudson and Sanchez 1996; Zooarchaeology Laboratory 1992; Wake 1997, 1998). All of these snake genera are still commonly found in the La Quinta area (Stebbins 1985). The greatest local species diversity is seen in the Family Colubridae, and that is reflected in the archaeological remains from local area sites, most of which represent colubrids. The heavier bodied rattlesnakes are common both today and archaeologically. Rattlers are eaten today and may have provided a fair amount of meat to hungry people. Snake remains, including burned specimens, have been reported from a number of sites along the shoreline of ancient Lake Cahuilla in the northern Coachella Valley, so the inclusion of serpents in the diet of the site's occupants cannot be discounted (Hudson 1993; Hudson and Sanchez 1996; Zooarchaeology Laboratory 1992). Still, snakes are relatively poorly represented, compared to fish and mammals. The desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) bones identified in the RIV-4746 faunal remains are interesting for a variety of reasons. No turtles, not even the hearty desert tortoise, are presently common in the La Quinta area (Stebbins 1985). It is well known that desert tortoises were consumed by desert peoples (Schneider and Emerson 1989). Consumption of turtles at other local sites is suggested by the presence of their remains in general and especially burned plastron fragments (Hudson 1993; Hudson and Sanchez 1996; Zooarchaeology Laboratory 1992, Wake 1996, 1998). However, desert tortoise remains have been positively identified fi-om only two other sites in the northern Salton Basin area (Schneider and Emerson 1989; Wake 1998). The turtle remains from these sites, together with those from other local area sites suggest that these animals were once more common in the area. While no aquatic turtle species such as the western pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata), or any of the Colorado River turtles (Kinosternon sonoriense and Trionyx spiniferus) are identified in the RIV-4746 faunal assemblage or any other reported faunal assemblage from the local area, the possibility of their presence should not be discounted. If Colorado River fish were washed into ancient Lake Cahuilla, it stands to reason that riverine turtles could have been introduced as well. The lack of aquatic turtle elements at these sites, and in the general area, is quite interesting, especially in the light of the large number of fish remains indicating the presence of suitable habitat, which could be ideal conditions for western pond turtles or Colorado River turtles. Birds Only a few (3) bird bone specimens are identified from RIV-4746.. The one bird bone identified at RIV-4746 represent waterfowls, probably a duck. Ducks and coots are strongly associated with lacustrine or estuarine environments, and their presence, and association with fish remains, strongly suggests exploitation of such habitats. Remains of greater varieties of bird species, most of which are lacustrine (i.e. ducks and coots), have been reported from other archaeological sites in the northern Salton Basin area (Hudson f -9 112 1993; Hudson and Sanchez 1996; Wake 1997; Zooarchaeology Laboratory 1992,). Some of these remains represent terrestrial birds such as crows, thrushes, quail, and hawks, but these are all isolated single elements and do not appear to be dietarily important. Beezley (1995) identified one Lake Cahuilla shoreline site, The Elmore Ranch Site (CA-IMP-6427) as a coot kill site, based on the high frequency of Fulica specimens identified. It appears that waterfowl, specifically ducks and coots, were the birds of choice for many of the inhabitants of ancient Lake Cahuilla's shoreline Mammals Mammals are the most commonly encountered vertebrates in the three faunal assemblages reported here. Mammal remains classifiable only to relative size classes are numerous, with small mammals dominating. Unidentified large mammal remains are present but rare. Rabbit remains are probably more dietarily significant than rodents at these sites. The Cahuilla are known to have exploited rabbits for food and other purposes such as blanket manufacture (Bean 1978). Rabbit remains, especially cottontails (Genus Sylvilagus), are common constituents of archaeofaunas in the local area and many other California desert mammal archaeofaunas. The low number of jackrabbit (LeFus californicus) specimens in general is somewhat surprising for a desert sites such as these, since they are common in the local area and often well represented in other neighboring archaeological assemblages, although cottontails do tend to dominate (Christenson 1990; Hudson 1993; Hudson and Sanchez 1996; Sutton 1991, 1993; Zooarchaeology Laboratory 1992). The dominance of cottontails at sites along the ancient shoreline of Lake Cahuilla is not necessarily surprising. Cottontails prefer brushy areas with a good amount of closed cover for them to hide in, as opposed to jackrabbits who prefer more open areas (Jameson and Peeters 1988). The mesquite groves and patches in and around the northern Salton Basin today are perfect habitat for cottontails, and such areas may have been more widespread in the past with the increased availability of groundwater provided ancient Lake Cahuilla. Although common and typically known as burrowers, the various identifiable rodent specimens could also represent dietary constituents. The large numbers of indeterminate small mammal specimens most likely represent rodents. Bean (1978:578) mentions the consumption of "rabbits and other small game ... , probably rodents. Rodent remains, including burned specimens, are well represented in faunal assemblages from the northern Coachella Valley (Hudson 1993; Hudson and Sanchez 1996; Zooarchaeology Laboratory 1992). Particular attention should be paid to rodent remains recovered from archaeological sites, since many groups .are noted to have consumed them ethnographically. Such remains should be examined in detail for burning and cutmarks, which might indicate purposeful modification and consumption. They should not be dismissed out of hand as merely intrusive. The presence of black -tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus) at RIV-4746 is both interesting and important. Artiodactyls, both black -tailed deer and bighorn sheep, are generally poorly 79 113 represented to downright rare in sites surrounding ancient Lake Cahuilla, yet they are one of the largest animals in the region, can provide large amounts of usable meat, and are consistently pointed to as the highest ranked prey item available - from an optimal foraging perspective. When they do occur at these kinds of sites, they appear in relatively low numbers and are usually quite fragmented. There are a number of possible explanations for their presence, but two seem the most likely: individuals were hunted elsewhere and parts returned to the sites; or deer came to the lake edge for forage and water and were captured locally. Both propositions are quite possible. Deer are seen today in the canyons and mountains above La Quinta, even occasionally wandering around the edges of town. A large body of water and the plant growth it would support around its edges would probably be tempting to hungry animals. Luxuriant, or just greater than normal, plant growth could also provide ample cover for human hunters. However, locally hunted deer would almost certainly produce greater numbers and varieties of bones that are seen in these sites - since more bones from more parts would be close by and could be readily transported a relatively shorter distance. The deer skeletal elements identified at these sites are relatively few in number and represent meaty parts (leg bones) of animals that are typically transported back to a more central site from a kill site. Few low utility (see Binford 1984) elements are represented in Lake Cahuilla shoreline sites. It is much more likely that the deer represented at RIV-4746 were hunted elsewhere, perhaps in the canyons above La Quinta, butchered, and portions of them transported to the site where they are found. Conclusions Analysis of the vertebrate faunal assemblages from these three sites suggests that the vertebrate portion of the diet consisted primarily of small mammals, mainly cottontail rabbits and rodents supplemented by fish, reptiles, and a few birds. Some of the fish, rabbit and rodent bones from both sites are burned, suggesting that they were roasted or disposed of in a fire. While a few large wild ungulates (deer) are identified, their remains are relatively rare, further supporting the idea of a high degree of dependence on small game and fish. The presence of fish remains at these sites suggest that they were occupied during a period when fish were available, probably at or near the most recent high stand of ancient Lake Cahuilla, prior to any substantial lowering of lake levels and concomitant increases in salinity and alkalinity. The species composition and number of specimens is similar to that of many other sites in the area (Follet 1988; Gobalet 1992, 1994; Moffitt and Moffitt 1996; Wilke 1978). Fishing activities at RIV-4746 emphasized the capture of razorback suckers, with the occasional inclusion of bonytail, and striped mullet. These occupations may correspond to the spawning cycles of each of these fish species. The presence of fish and waterfowl strongly indicate exploitation of lacustrine environments by the occupants of FaV-4746 similar to the sites of RIV-4754, -6059, and -6060. The domination of the mammal assemblage by rabbits, rodents, and small mammals and the presence of reptile taxa illustrate exploitation of local terrestrial habitats as well. Based on the vertebrate faunal assemblage recovered from these sites it is apparent that the site's occupants pursued a mixed M 114 strategy of fishing and hunting rabbits, and perhaps other small mammals and reptiles. Bighorn sheep were occasionally consumed at these sites, but not in great numbers, and probably were derived from areas other than the lake margins. The fish were probably captured with nets, or more likely, the use of nets in combination with the numerous weirs that lined the ancient shores of Lake Cahuilla and can still be seen in undisturbed areas - a 115 References Bean, Lowell John 1970 Ecological Integration Among the Cahuilla Indians of Southern California. Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation. University of California, Los Angeles. 1978 Cahuilla. In Handbook of North American Indians, Volume 8, California, edited by Robert F. Heizer, Pp. 575-587. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. Binford, Lewis M. 1984 Bones: Ancient Men and Modern Myths. Academic Press. New York. Brock, James 1998 Preliminary.Draft Archaeological report on Test and Limited Data Recovery Programs for the Village on the Green Project, La Quinta, California. Report on file at the City of La Quinta, California. Casteel, Richard W. 1976 Fish Remains in Archaeology and Paleoenvironmental Studies. Academic Press. Christenson, Lynn E. 1990 Western Mojave Subsistence: Faunal Analysis at the Farm Drop Zone Site LAN-1296, LAN-1158. Proceedings of the Societyfor California Archaeology 3:365-379. Dill, W.A. 1944 The Fishery of the Lower Colorado River. California Fish and Game 30(3):109-211. Farrell, N 1988 The Analysis of Human Coprolites from CA-RIV-1179 and CA-RIV-2827. Archives of California Prehistory 20:129-142. Follet, William I. 1988 Analysis of Fish Remains from Archaeological Sits CA-RIV-I 179, and CA-RIV-2827, La Quinta, Riverside County, California. Archives of California Prehistory 20:143-155. Gobalet, Kenneth W. 1992 Colorado River Fishes of Lake Cahuilla, Salton Basin, Southern California: A Cautionary Tale for Zooarchaeologists. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences 91(2):70- 83. 1994 Additional Evidence for Colorado River Fishes in the Salton Basin of Southern California. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences 93(1):3 8-41. 82 116 Gobalet, Kenneth W. and Thomas A. Wake n.d. A Collective Summary of Fish Remains from the Ancient Shores of Lake Cahuilla, Salton Basin, California. Manuscript submitted to Southwestern Naturalist. Holden, P.B. and C.B. Stalnaker 1970 Systematic Studies of the Cyprinid Genus Gila in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Copeia 1970(3 ):409-420. Hubbs, Carl L. and R.R. Miller 1948 The Zoological Evidence: Correlation Between Fish Distribution and Hydrographic History in the Desert Basins of the Western United States. Bulletin of the University of Utah 30:17-166. Hudson, Jean 1993 Faunal Analysis. In Phase II Archaeological Test Excavations at Sites CA-RIV 3788 and CA-RIV-3789 Located on Tentative Tract 24087 in the Hemet Area of Riverside County California, edited by Dicken Everson. U.C. Riverside Archaeological Research Unit Report #1200T. Report on file at the Eastern Archaeological Information Center, Riverside, California. Hudson, Jean and Julia Sanchez 1996 Faunal Remains Analysis Results. In Archaeology on the North Shoreline of Ancient Lake Cahuilla: Final Results. from Survey, Testing, and Mitigation -Monitoring, edited by Bruce Love, Pp. 85-99. CRM TECH Report #168. Report on file at the Eastern Archaeological Information Center, Riverside, California. Jonez, AI and Robert C. Sumner 1954 Lakes Mead and Mojave Investigations. Nevada Fish and Game Commission, Wildlife Restoration Division. Kaeding, L.R., B.D. Burdick, P.A. Schrader, W.R. Noonan 1986 Recent Capture of a Bonytail (Gila elegans) and Observations on this Nearly Extinct Cyprinid from the Colorado River. Copeia 1986(4):1021-1023. Laylander, Don 1995 The Chronology of Lake Cahuilla's Final Stand. Proceedings of the Societyfor California Archaeology 8:69-78. Love, Bruce 1996 Archaeology on the North Shoreline of Ancient Lake Cahuilla: Final Results from Survey, Testing, andMttigation Monitoring. CRM TECH Report #168. Report on file at the Eastern Archaeological Information Center, Riverside, California. m 117 Marsh, Paul C. and Diana Papoulias 1987 Digestive Tract Contents of Adult Razorback Suckers in Lake Mojave, Arizona -Nevada. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 116:117-119. Moffitt, Steven and Linda Moffitt 1996 Fish Remains Analysis Results. In Archaeology on the North Shoreline of Ancient Lake Cahuilla: Final Results from Survey, Testing, and Mitigation Monitoring, edited by Bruce Love, Pp. 99-11 L CRIvI TECH Report #168. Report on file at the Eastern Archaeological Information Center, Riverside, California. Moyle, Peter B. 1976 Inland Fishes of California. University of California Press. Papoulias, Diana and William L. Minkley 1990 Food Limited Survival of Larval Razorback Suckers, Xyrauchen texanus, in the Laboratory. Environmetrtal Biology of Fishes 29:73-78. Schaefer, Jerry 1994 The Challenge of Archaeological Research in the Colorado Desert: Recent Approaches and Discoveries. Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology 16(i ):60-80. Stebbins, Robert C. 1985 A Field Guide to Western Amphibians and Reptiles. Houghton Mifflin, Boston. Sutton, Mark Q. 1991 Archaeological Investigations at Cantil, Fremont Valley, Western Mojave Desert, California. Museum of Anthroplogy, California State University, Bakersfield. Occasional Papers in Anthropology 1. 1993 Archaeological Studies in Rosamond, Western Mojave Desert, California. Museum of Anthroplogy, California State University, Bakersfield. Occasional Papers in Anthropology 3. Sutton, Mark Q. and Philip J. Wilke 1988 Archaeological Investigations at CA-RIV 1179, CA-RIV 2823, and CA-RIV-2827, La Quinta, Riverside County, California. Archives of California Prehistory 20. Coyote Press, Salinas, California. Treganza, Adan E. 1945 The "Ancient Stone Fish Traps" of the Coachella Valley, Southern California. American Antiquity 10(3):285-294. m 118 Vanicek, C. David and Robert H Kramer 1969 Life History of the Colorado Squawfish, Ptychocheilus lucius, and the Colorado Chub, Gila robusta, in the Green River in Dinosaur National Monument, 1964-1966. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 98(2):193-208. Wake, Thomas A. 1996 Faunal Analysis. In Archaeological Afitigation Report: Site CA-RIV--5832, on Lapis Energy Property APN 649-030-014, City of La Quinta, Riverside County, Cal forma, edited by Bruce Love, Pp. 13-24. CRM Tech Contract #230, Ms. on file with the City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California. 1997 Identification and Analysis of Vertebrate faunal Remains from CA-RIV-4754, Riverside County, California. Report submitted to Archaeological Advisory Group, Pioneertown, California. 1998a Identification and Analysis of Vertebrate faunal Remains from CA-RIV-6059 and CA- RIV-6060, Riverside County, California. Report submitted to Archaeological Advisory Group, Pioneertown, California. 1998b Identification and analysis of Vertebrate faunal Remains from CRM TECH's 322 Series (Temporary Designations) Loci, Riverside County, California. Report sumbitted to CRM TECH, Riverside California. Waters, Michael R. 1983 Late Holocene Lacustrine Chronology and Archaeology of Ancient Lake Cahuilla. Quaternary Research 19:373-387. Wilke, Philip J. 1976 Late Prehistoric Human Ecology at Lake Cahuilla, Coachella Valley, California. Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation, Department of Anthropology, University of California, Riverside. 1978 Late Prehistoric Human Ecology at Lake Cahuilla, Coachella Valley, California. Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility 38. 1980 Prehistoric Weir Fishing on Recessional Shorelines of Lake Cahuilla, Salton Basin, SoutheasternCalifornia. Proceedings of the Desert Fishes Council 11:101-102. Zooarchaeology Laboratory 1992 Appendix C: Faunal Remains. In Excavations at Archaeological Site CA-RIV--3682, City of La Quinta, Coachella Valley, Riverside County, California, edited by Dicken Everson. U.C. Riverside Archaeological Research Unit Report #1167DR. Report on file at the Eastern Archaeological Information Center, Riverside, California. RE 119 Figures 1 an Distribution of Bone at RIV-4746 RIV•4746: Distribution of Animal Bone by NISP FYn px� u.mma (e.xl RIV-4746: Distribution of Animal Bone by Weight (g) FYn (Jxl Class Count Weight(g) Fish 8 .66 Reptile 23 6.03 Bird 3 .17 Mammal 170 12.89 --------------- 204 19.75 LIN Mmmm.i (C!•41 12a Figures 3 and 4: Distribution of Mammal Bone at RRV-4746 RIV-4746: Distribution of Mammal Bone by NISP wnmaamv�. (axe ca..mo.. pxl n.d-11. 6.ox1 RIV-47416: Distribution of Mammal Bone by Weight (g) ..e..n. mm Order Count Weight(g) Lagomorpha 31 2.23 Rodentia 38 1.29 Carnivora 3 4.34 Artiodactyla 2 1.98 74 9.84 121 Catalog of Identified Vertebrate Species from CA-RIV-4746 Modif. Cat# Unit Coord Level SC T..h Cf Element Part __-__ --------------- ----- FA022 ---- -------------- -- 10 -----P _--P------_-_-_ A.os ermo h'lus leucurus femur proximal shaft FA022 10 Amospeamophilus leucurus mandible condyle FA022 10 Lepus califor.isus ulna notch FA022 10 Mmmmalia, son indeterminate fragment FAU22 10 Sylvilagus audubonii tibia proximal FA023 11 copherus agessizii :aiphiplastion edge fragment FA024 12 Gopherus agessizii oare ace fragment FA025 13 Ammospe rmophilus leucurusfemur shaft FA025 13 Ammospermophilus leucurus mandible anterior FA025 13 Gila ele,as iertebra ...tram EA025 13 Gopheshe agassizii ,'last... fragment FA025 13 Lepssidae maceinete se,etabliliat, FA025 13 Leporidae +ertebra ce.truo frog FA025 13 Lepus californicue Cf c .ial alveolar FA025 13 Mom elia indeterminate fragment FA025 13 Mamaalia, sm c anial fragment FA025 13 Mugil cephalus vertebra most FA025 13 Pituophis melsnoleucus vertebra most FA025 13 Sylvilagus auduonii b arpal,.uneiform complete FA025 13 Sylvilagus audubonii humerus distal FA025 13 Sylvilagus audubonii 'aetat.re.1,5th complete FA025 13 Sylvilagus audubonii radiurs proximal FAC25 13 Sylvilagus audubonii tar sal, mtraglus most FA025 13 Sylvilagus audubonii tareal,calcaneus most FA025 13 Sylvilagus audubonii vert,thoracic ost FA025 13 Sylvilagus so sacr.. anterior FA026 14 3opherus agassizii arapace fragment FA026 14 Gophesus agassizii peripheral #5 most FA026 14 Gophetus agassizii peripheral #6 fragment FA026 14 Mammalie, m vertebra fragment FA027 15 Gopherae agassizii space fragment FA028 16 Cdoccileus hemi onus metacarpal c ondyle FA029 17 Canis sp crt,c.rvical c omplete FA030 14 Mmmmalia, 1g indeterminate fragment FAD16 7 N000-E160 050-060 Xyrauchen texanu, vsrt,precaudal complete FA006 6 N000-E210 030-040 Mammalie, an indeterminate fragment PA006 6 N000-E210 030-040 Rodentia, so vert,caudal complete FA006 6 N000-E230 030-040 Thcmomys bottae Cf scapula gI... id fosaa FA009 6 N000-E230 040-050 Anatiden tarsometatazsus proximal FA007 6 N000-E210 040-050 Aves, m mandible fragment FA00'1 6 N000-E210 040-050 Mamalia, rs indeterminate fragment FA007 6 N000-E210 040-050 Mmmalia, as vertcaudal complete FAU07 6 NOOO-E210 040-050 Set peace. vertebra fragment FA008 6 N000-E210 050-060 Felis turns ve[t,caudal complete FA008 6 N000-E210 050-060 Mmmalia, am indeterminate fragment FA008 E N000-E210 050-060 Meamalia, sm indeterminate fragment FAOOS 6 N000-E210 050-060 Mmmalia, am phalanx distal*shaft FANS 6 N000-E210 050-060 Mmmalia, sm vertebra process FA008 6 N000-E210 050-C60 Sciuridne. cractial,mentilla fragment FA009 6 N000-E210 060-C70 Mmmalia, sm indeterminate fragment FA009 6 N000-E210 060-C70 Thommys bottae Cf tooth fragment FA010 6 N000-E210 070-060 Mmmmalia, as vertebra fragment FA010 6 N000-E210 010-060 Pituophis melemoleucus vertebra complete FA010 6 N000-E210 010-080 Rodentia tooth fragment FA010 6 11000-E210 070-080 Thomomya bottae femur medial condyle FA010 6 N000-E210 070-080 Thmomys rattan mandible alveolar FA011 6 N000-E210 080-090 Mmmalia, and long bone shaft PA011 6 N000-E210 080-090 Mmmmalia, sm indeterminate fragment FA011 6 N000-E210 060-090 Neote sp oo humerus distal FA011 6 N000-E210 080-090 Pituophis melanoleucus vertebra ..plate FA011 6 N000-E210 080-090 Rodeatia, so vert,exis fragment FA011 6 N000-E210 080-090 Th..ys bottae cramial,occiptal condyle FA012 6 N000-E210 100-110 Felix tutus phalanx,3rd complete FA012 6 N000-E210 100-110 Manmalia indeterminate fragment FA013 6 N000-E210 110-120 Mer-elia, as cranial fragment FA013 6 N000-E210 110-:.20 Manmelia, s rib shaft FA013 6 N000-E210 110-1.20 n Neotoma cr erea tooth,mclar upr,pos3,complt FA014 6 N000-E210 120-L30 Leporidne tooth enamel FA014 6 N000-E210 120-130 Lepus californicus mandible anterior FA014 6 N000-E210 120-130 Mamalis, sm indeterminate fragment FA014 6 N000-E210 120-130 Mammalis, so long bone shaft FA015 6 N000-E210 130-:140 Masmalia, an indeterminate fragment FA015 6 N000-E210 130-140 Mmmmalia, sm long bone shaft FA015 6 N000-E210 130-140 Rodentia, sat cranial fragment FA021 N025-E150 Xyrauchen texanus vert,proccondal cents. FA017 9 N025-E225 020-030 Anmospermophilus leucurus femur proximal shaft FA018 9 N025-E225 030-040 Marseille, sm long home shaft FA001 1 N050-E230 010-020 Mamnalis indeterminate fragment FA001 1 N050-EZI0 010-020 Xyrauchen texanus incerneural most FA003 4 N050-E260 000-010 Colubridee vertebra fragment FA003 4 N050-E260 000-010 Crotalus so vertebra complete m Side Age Count. Weight B C G F R L R R A .06 .02 .24 02 L2 1 .69 1 .10 1 .14 1 .06 1 .A L .77 1 .22 4 .0] 1 .12 14 1 .03 10 us 05 1 .09 1 .11 1 .14 1 .05 1 .19 .0! .11 3 .63 1 1.54 1 57 1 OB ]] 1 1.69 1 4.00 1 .33 1 .02 1 .02 1 .02 1 .03 1 .14 1 .02 6 .12 1 .03 1 .06 1 .23 1 .02 2 .05 1 .02 1 .03 1 .02 2 .03 3 .04 1 .02 1 .14 3 .04 1 .03 1 .06 1 .11 6 .12 1 .05 1 .16 1 .01 1 .01 1 .11 3 .06 1 .03 1 .13 1 .05 4 .03 1 .09 2 01 1 03 1 .01 1 .02 1 .04 1 .15 1 .04 1 .02 2 .24 1 .21 2 .06 1 .04 122 Catalog of Identifiied Vertebrate Species from CA-RIV-4746 (cont.) Motif. Cato Unit Coord Level SC Taxon Cf Element Eart Side Age Count Weight 8 C G W FA003 4 N050-E260 000-01.0 Dipsesauvus der salis vertebra most ]. .01 FA003 4 N050-E260 000-01.0 Leporidae tooth fragment i .03 FA003 4 N050-E260 000-0:.0 Hammel is, sm indeterminate fragment 1 .02 FA003 4 N050-E260 000-VO Mammalie, am indeterminate fragment 3 .OS FA003 4 N050-E260 000-010 Rolentia, ma vart,c.d.1 complete A A .03 FA003 4 N050-E260 000-0:m Rodentie, sm ✓ert,c.d.1 fragment .O1 FA003 4 N050-E260 000-010 Sylvilagus sp tarsal,astraglus most L .04 FA003 4 N050-E260 000-010 Sylvilagus sp Cf humerus head L .08 FA003 4 NO50-E260 000-010 Thamamya bottae Cf femur proximal shaft L .05 FA003 4 NOSO-E260 000-010 Xyrauchen texanus vert,pre..cdal fragment L .04 FA004 4 N050-E260 010-020 Ammospermophilue leucurus Cf innominate ischium L -02 FA004 4 NOSO-E260 030-0.20 Leporidae Cf ozanial, temporal fragment 1 .O2 FA004 4 N050-E260 010-0.20 Leporidae Cf mandible anterior 1 .03 FA004 4 N050-E260 010-020 Mamnalis, am indeterminate fragment 3 .07 FA004 4 N050-E260 010-020 Mammalia, am indeterminate fragment 13 .16 FA004 4 NO50-E260 010-020 Mammalia, am long bone shaft .11 FA004 4 N050-E260 010-020 Serpentes vertebra fragment �1 .02 FA004 4 N050-B260 010-020 Sylvilagus audubonii humerua distal L 1 .04 FA004 4 N050-E260 010-0.10 SyYiilagm audubonii vert,atles fragment A 1 .04 FA004 4 0050-E260 010-020 Sylvilagus sp metapodial complete A 1 .08 FA004 4 N050-E260 010-020 Tes:udinata plastron fragment 1 .03 FA004 4 N050-E260 010-020 Xyrauchen texanua vertebra fragment 1 .00 EA005 4 NO50-E260 020-030 Mammalia indeterminate fragment 1 .05 FA005 4 N050-E260 020-030 Thomomys bottae famur Cead L 1 .02 FA019 14 NO]0-E240 000-010 Amm,spermophilus leucurus anial,maxilla fragment 1 .03 FA019 14 N070-E240 000-010 Ammospermophilus leucurus radius pr oximel L 1 .02 FA019 14 N070-E240 000-010 Aves, sm long bone shaft 1 .01 FA019 14 N070-E240 000-010 Leporidae ohelaex most 1 .07 FA019 14 N07O-E240 000-010 Mammalis, 'in indeterminate fragment 1 .13 FA019 14 N070-E240 000-010 Mammalia, am indeterminate fragment 11 .28 FA019 14 N090-E240 000-010 Mandelia, am lcng bone shaft 4 .13 PA019 14 N070-E240 000-010 Mammal,., sm vei t,Cervical fragment 1 .03 FA019 14 NO70-E240 000-010 )do-cilaus hemionus metatarsal shaft 1 .29 FA019 14 N070-E240 000-010 Rodentie, am tooth most 1 .03 FA019 14 N070-EZ40 000-010 Seeloporus magister crenial,marilla most L 1 .02 FA019 14 N070-E240 000-010 Serpentes vertebra fragment 1 .04 FA019 14 N070-E240 000-010 Sylvilagus sp carpal, cuneiform complete 1 .03 FA019 14 N090-E240 000-010 Sylvilagus ap cranial,paemax distal 1 .04 FA019 14 N070-2240 000-010 Testudinata plastron ftagment 1 .10 FA019 14 N870-E240 000-010 Thomomys bottae innominate agetabui. L 1 .05 FAD19 14 N070-E240 000-010 Xyrauchen texanus pterygiephore proximal 1 .03 FA019 14 N070-E240 000-010 Thomomys bottae femur proximal L 1 .09 EA019 14 N000-E240 000-D10 Themomys bottae tazg.l'cs1g.aua ..at L A 1 .04 FA019 14 NO70-E240 000-010 Thommys bottae tersal,calcaneua most R A 1 .04 FA020 15 N075-E221 000-010 Mammalia, am indeterminate fragment 9 .30 FA020 15 N075-E221 000-010 Sylvilagus sp phal anx,3rd cemplate 1 .03 FA020 15 N075-E221 000-010 Thomomys bottae mecapodial complete 2 .05 FA020 15 N075-E221 000-010 Thomomys bottae metapodi al distaltshaft 1 .03 FA020 15 N095-E221 000-010 Thomomys bottae tarsal,Calcaneus most N A 1 .04 FA002 2 NIOO-E160 010-020 Thememya bottae scapula 1...id fosse 1 .03 Catalog of Identified Vertebrate Species from CA-RW-4753 Motif. Cat# Unit Level SC Taxon Cf Element Part Side Age Count Weight B C G W --------------------- ---------------------------- -- -- ----------------- ---- --- ------------ ----' FA001 1 010-020 Mammalia, an indeterminate fragment 1 .07 Catalog of Identified Vertebrate Species from CA-RW-4754 Modif. Cat# Unit Level SC Tax. Cf Element Part Side Age Count Weight B C G W -------------- -------------------------------- ------------------- --------------- ---_ __ -- -----' FA001 Locus C E Mammalia cranial fragment 1 .09 M 123 APPENDIX 4: ARTIFACT/ECOFACT CATALOGS 124 0 Page No. i 03/29/99 CA-RIV-4746 SITE CATALOG, SORTED ON CATALOG NUMBER FAUNAL CATALOG SEPARATE AAG FILE:RIV4746A.DBF FORM:LO-CAT.FRM CATALOG LEVEL OTHER COORDIN- NUM MIN DIMENSIONS WEIGHT FEA NUMBER UNIT (CMS) LOCATION ATES PCS NUM DESCRIPTION TYPE NOTES (mn) (GMS) BE0G1 01 010-020 N50/E21O 1 0 BEAD OLIVELLA, BROKEN, HEAVILY 8.6(L) X 0.3 BARREL BURNT 7.4(W) CA001 06 050-060 NO/E210 50 0 CARBON, SAMPLE APPROX COUNT 2.0 CA002 06 060-070 NO/E210 75 0 CARBON, SAMPLE APPROX COUNT 3.9 CA003 06 070-080 NO/E210 50 0 CARBON, SAMPLE APPROX COUNT 3.9 CA004 06 080-090 NO/E210 25 0 CARBON, SAMPLE APPROX COUNT 2.5 CA005 06 090-100 NO/E210 75 0 CARBON, SAMPLE APPROX COUNT 6.9 CA006 06 100-110 NO/E210 25 0 CARBON, SAMPLE APPROX COUNT 4.0 CA007 06 110-120 NO/E210 250 0 CARBON, SAMPLE APPROX COUNT 116.2 CA008 06 120-130 NO/E210 200 0 CARBON, SAMPLE APPROX COUNT 59.0 CA009 06 130-140 NO/E210 50 0 CARBON, SAMPLE APPROX COUNT 8.8 CA010 13 000-010 N33/E232 9 0 CARBON, SAMPLE 3.1 1 CA011 13 020-030 N33/E232 10 0 CARBON, SAMPLE APPROX COUNT 0.4 CA012 13 030-040 N33/E232 50 0 CARBON, SAMPLE APPROX COUNT 8.2 CE001 11 000-010 N75/E175 3 1 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR4 2.2 CE002 TR N025/E225 3 1 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR4 29.5 CE003 TR N05O/El5O 14 1 SHERD, BODY & 1 BROWNWARE AAG BR2 20.9 RIM CE004 SC 04 1 1 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR4 POSS. 14.0 DETER. RIM CE005 SC 05 3 1 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR4 9.0 CE006 SC 06 1 1 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR5 1.4 CE007 SC 07 2 1 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR3 VERY 5.8 REDDISH CE00B SC 08 1 0 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR3 5.8 CE009 SC 09 1 0 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR3 1.4 CE010 SC 14 3 0 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR3? 0.5 CE011 SC 18 2 0 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR4 1.8 CE012 SC 20 1 0 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR4 3.0 CL001 06 110-120 NO/E210 1 0 TABULAR FLAKE 0.1 CL002 07 000-010 NO/E160 2 0 TABULAR 0.1 CL003 07 010-020 NO/E160 9 0 TABULAR 0.1 CL004 07 020-030 NO/E160 1 0 TABULAR 0.1 CL005 07 030-040 NO/E160 1 0 TABULAR 0.1 CL006 07 050-060 NO/E16O 1 0 TABULAR 0.1 CL007 TR NO/E150 8 0 TABULAR LB 0.2 CLOO8 TR N100/E150 1 0 TABULAR 0.1 CL009 SC 1 2 0 TABULAR 3.7 CLO10 SC 3 1 0 GLOBULAR LB 14.1 CLO11 TR N50/E20O 2 0 GLOBULAR MELTED 27.2 CS001 02 010-020 NlGO/E160 1 0 DEBITAGE CHRT, 0.1 BROWN CS002 07 060-070 NO/E160 1 1 FLAKE, UTILIZED CHRT, TAN, SOME RETOUCH 12.0 LHT BANDS CS003 12 000-020 N75/E225 1 0 DEBITAGE CHAL, 0.1 CLR-ORG CS004 14 000-010 N7O/E240 1 0 FLAKE CHAL, CLR 0.1 W/ORG &BLK CS005 14 000-010 N70/E24O 1 0 FLAKE CHRT, 0.1 ROSEY CS006 14 000-010 N7O/E240 1 0 DEBITAGE CHAL, 0.1 CLR-ORG CS007 15 000-010 N75/E221 1 0 FLAKE CHAL, 0.1 CLR-ORG CS008 TR N100/E150 1 0 FLAKE CHRT, 0.1 BROWN 125 Page No. 2 03/29/99 CA-RIV-4746 SITE CATALOG, SORTED ON CATALOG NUMBER FAUNAL CATALOG SEPARATE AAG FILE:RIV4746A.DBF FORM:LQ-CAT.FRM CATALOG LEVEL OTHER COORDIN- NUM MIN DIMENSIONS WEIGHT FEA NUMBER UNIT (CMS) LOCATION ATES PCS NUM DESCRIPTION TYPE NOTES (mm) (GMS) CS009 SC 2 1 0 SCRAPER 57.6(L) X 28.7 37.2(W) X 13.0(H) mm CS010 SC 13 2 0 FLAKE CHRT, 0.1 BROWN CS011 SC 14 2 0 FLAKE CHAL, 0.1 CLR-ORG CS012 SC 14 2 0 FLAKE CHAL, 0.1 MILKY-ORG CS013 SC 14 1 0 FLAKE CHAL, 0.1 ROSEY, SPECKD CS014 SC 19 3 0 DEBITAGE QUARTZ 2.8 CS015 SC 21 16 0 FLAKE CHRT, 4.3 BROWN CS016 SC 21 1 0 FLAKE CHAL, 0.1 ROSEY, SPECKD CS017 SC 21 15 0 FLAKE/DEBITAGE CHAL, 12 FLKS, 3 DEB 1.6 CLR-ORG CSO18 SC 21 1 0 FLAKE CHAL, 0.1 CLR-BLK FA001 01 010-020 N50/E210 3 0 BONE 2 BT 0.4 SENT TO UCLA - ZOOARCH LAB FACO2 02 010-020 N10OIE160 1 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA 0.1 ZOOARCH LAB FA003 04 000-010 N50/E26O 0 12 BONE SENT TO UCLA 0.3 ZOOARCH LAB FA004 04 010-020 N50/E260 22 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA 0.7 ZOOARCH LAB FA005 04 020-030 N50/E260 2 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA 0.1 ZOOARCH LAB FA006 06 030-040 NO/E210 3 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA 0.1 ZOOARCH LAB FA007 06 040-050 NO/E210 10 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA 0.2 ZOOARCH LAB FA008 06 050-060 NO/E210 7 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA 0.3 ZOOARCH LAB FA009 06 060-070 NO/E210 1 0 BONE JAW/TEETH SENT TO UCLA 0.1 ZOOARCH LAB FA010 06 070-080 NO/E210 4 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA 0.2 ZOOARCH LAB FA011 06 080-090 NO/E210 10 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA 0.2 ZOOARCH LAB FA012 06 100-110 NO/E210 3 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA 0.2 ZOOARCH LAB FA013 06 110-120 NO/E210 4 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA 0.2 ZOOARCH LAB FA014 06 120-130 NO/E210 4 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA 0.1 ZOOARCH LAB FA015 06 130-140 NO/E210 4 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA 0.1 ZOOARCH LAB FA016 07 050-060 NO/E160 1 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA 0.1 ZOOARCH LAB 12G Page No. 3 03/29/99 CA-RIV-4746 SITE CATALOG, SORTED ON CATALOG NUMBER FAUNAL CATALOG SEPARATE AAG FILE:RIV4746A.DBF FORM:LO-CAT.FRM CATALOG LEVEL OTHER COORDIN- NUM MIN NUMBER UNIT (CMS) LOCATION ATES PCS NUM DESCRIPTION TYPE NOTES FA017 09 020-030 N25/E225 1 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA ZOOARCH LAB FA018 09 030-040 N25/E225 1 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA ZOOARCH LAB FA019 14 000-010 N70/E240 46 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA ZOOARCH LAB FA020 15 000-010 N75/E221 15 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA ZOOARCH LAB FA021 TR N25/E150 1 0 BONE VERTEBRA, SENT TO UCLA FISH ZOOARCH LAB FA022 SC 10 7 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA ZOOARCH LAB FA023 SC 11 1 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA ZOOARCH LAB FA024 SC 12 1 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA ZOOARCH LAB FA025 SC 13 22 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA ZOOARCH LAB FA026 SC 14 9 0 BONE SKULL? SENT TO UCLA ZOOARCH LAB FA027 SC 15 2 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA. ZOOARCH LAB FA028 SC 16 1 0 BONE BT SENT TO UCLA ZOOARCH LAB FA029 SC 17 1 0 BONE VERTEBRA SENT TO UCLA, ZOOARCH LAB FA030 SC 14 1 1 BONE, MODIFIED SENT TO UCLA ZOOARCH LAB FS001 06 120-130 NO/E210 3 0 FRESHWATER SHELL MUSSEL BT FS002 06 120-130 NO/E210 1 0 FRESHWATER SHELL CF SNAIL LI001 TR NO/E150 3 0 ROCK GRANITIC LI002 TR N25/E150 3 0 ROCK GRANITIC LIC03 TR N25/E225 2 0 ROCK GRANITIC L1004 TR N50/E200 10 0 ROCK GRANITIC L1005 TR N50/E250 5 0 ROCK GRANITIC L1006 TR N75/El50 15 0 ROCK GRANITIC L1007 TR N75/E200 8 0 ROCK GRANITIC LI008 TR N100/E150 3 0 ROCK BASALT L1009 TR N100/E150 39 0 ROCK GRANITIC LIC10 TR N100/E200 1 0 ROCK GRANITIC L1011 TR N100/E200 1 0 ROCK BASALT L1012 TR N25/E200 11 0 ROCK GRANITIC L1013 TR N25/E200 1 0 ROCK SHIST L1014 TR N50/E250 3 0 ROCK BASALT LI015 01 010-020 N50/E210 7 0 ROCK GRANITIC L1016 04 010-020 N50/E260 1 0 ROCK GRANITIC L1017 06 040-050 NOE/210 2 0 ROCK GRANITIC LI018 06 080-090 NO/E210 1 0 ROCK GRANITIC LIC19 09 030-040 N24/E225 5 0 ROCK GRANITIC LIC20 12 020-040 N75/E225 1 0 ROCK GRANITIC L1021 11 000-010 N75/E175 57 0 ROCK GRANITIC L1022 11 010-020 N75/E175 5 0 ROCK GRANITIC L1023 13 000-010 N33/E232 27 0 ROCK GRANITIC L1024 14 000-010 N70/E240 3 0 ROCK GRANITIC DIMENSIONS WEIGHT FEA (mm) (GMS) 0.1 0.1 1.5 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 2.2 2.7 0.3 4.3 6.5 0.4 0.1 0.1 36.2 10.7 70.1 180.4 16.8 62.9 184.3 25.1 263.4 3.4 2.7 961.5 8.0 25.6 21.2 1.1 4.0 0.4 5.0 1.5 991.7 50.0 1799.0 1 8.3 127 Page No. 4 03/29/99 CA-RIV-4746 SITE CATALOG, SORTED ON CATALOG NUMBER FAUNAL CATALOG SEPARATE AAG FILE:RIV4746A.DBF FORM:LO-CAT.FRM CATALOG LEVEL OTHER COORDIN- NUM MIN DIMENSIONS WEIGHT FEA NUMBER UNIT (CMS) LOCATION ATES PCS NUM DESCRIPTION TYPE NOTES (mn) (CMS) L 1025 15 000-010 N75/E221 7 0 ROCK GRANITIC 28.0 M1001 14 000-010 N7O/E240 8 0 PLASTER 3.9 TA001 TR N25/E225 6 0 FIRE -AFFECTED GRANITIC 198.1 TA002 TR N75/E200 2 0 FIRE -AFFECTED GRANITIC 94.3 TA003 TR N25/E200 3 0 FIRE -AFFECTED GRANITIC 482.4 TA004 11 000-010 N75/E175 6 0 FIRE -AFFECTED GRANITIC 48.9 TA005 13 000-010 N33/E232 3 0 FIRE -AFFECTED GRANITIC 108.6 1 TA006 12 020-040 N75/E225 8 0 FIRE -AFFECTED GRANITIC 8.5 *** Total *** 1435 21 6139.5 �23 Page No. 1 03/28/99 AAG CATALOG LEVEL OTHER COORDIN- NUMBER UNIT (CMS) LOCATION ATES CA-RIV-4753 SITE CATALOG, SORTED ON CATALOG NUMBER FAUNAL CATALOG SEPARATE FILE:RIV4753A.DBF FORM:LO-CAT.FRM NUM MIN PCS NUM DESCRIPTION TYPE NOTES DIMENSIONS WEIGHT FEA (mn) (GMS) CA001 01 040-050 15 0 CARBON 0.1 CA002 01 050-060 20 0 CARBON 0.5 CE001 SC O1 1 1 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR5 2.2 CE002 SC 02 1 0 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR5 2.2 CE003 SC 03 1 0 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR5 2.2 FA001 01 010-020 N178/E45 1 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA 0.1 ZOOARCH LAB FS001 01 000-010 1 0 FRESHWATER SHELL SNAIL 0.1 *** Total *** 7.4 40 i 129 Page No. 1 03/28/99 CA-RIV-4754, LOCUS C SITE CATALOG, SORTED ON CATALOG NUMBER FAUNAL CATALOG SEPARATE AAG FILE:RIV4754X.DBF FORM:LO-CAT.FRM CATALOG LEVEL OTHER COORDIN- NUM MIN NUMBER UNIT (CMS) LOCATION ATES PCS NUM DESCRIPTION TYPE NOTES CA001 A 000-010 1 0 CARBON CA002 A 020-030 100 0 CARBON APPROX COUNT CA003 A 030-040 40 0 CARBON APPROX COUNT CA004 C 000-010 100 0 CARBON APPROX COUNT CA005 C 010-020 25 0 CARBON APPROX COUNT CA006 SC C 2 0 CARBON CE001 A 000-010 2 1 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE UNTYP. CE002 A 020-030 1 0 SHERD, BODY VERY BROWNWARE UNTYP. SM CE003 B 050-060 1 0 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE UNTYP. CE004 TR NOSO/E050 1 1 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR3 CE005 SC E 11 1 SHERD, BODY, 1 BROWNWARE AAG BR4, RIM RIM FLARED CE006 SC F 1 1 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR11 CE007 SC H 2 1 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR2 CE008 SC H 2 1 SHERD, BODY BROWNWARE AAG BR11, (OLLA?) FLARED NECK CL001 A 000-010 2 0 TABULAR CL002 B 030-040 2 0 TABULAR CL003 C ODO-010 1 0 TABULAR CL004 C 010-020 1 0 TABULAR CL005 TR N50/E50 2 0 GLOBULAR CL006 TR N50/E50 8 0 TABULAR CL007 TR N50/E100 16 0 TABULAR CL008 TR N100/E50 7. 0 TABULAR CL009 SC A 1 0 GLOBULAR CL010 SC B 4 0 GLOBULAR BT CLO11 SC B 7 0 TABULAR LB CLO12 SC C 2 0 TABULAR LB CLO13 SC D 1 0 TABULAR CLO14 SC H 1 0 TABULAR CS001 SC D 1 0 FLAKE CHAL, MILKY FA001 SC B 1 0 BONE SENT TO UCLA ZOOARCH LAB GS001 SC G N 65.7/E94.1 1 1 MANO, SANDSTONE HEAVILY MULTIFACIAL EXFOLIATED GS002 C 000-010 LOC C 2 1 GROUNDSTONE SHIST BURNT FRAGS L1001 C 000-010 LOC C N67/E86 14 0 ROCK GRANITIC L1002 C 010-020 LOC C N67/E86 4 0 ROCK GRANITIC TA001 C 000-010 LOC C N67/E86 1 0 FIRE -AFFECTED BASALT TA002 C 000-010 LOC C N67/E86 6 0 FIRE -AFFECTED GRANITIC TA003 C 010-020 LOC C N67/E86 2 0 FIRE -AFFECTED BASALT +*+ Totat +** 376 8 DIMENSIONS WEIGHT FEA (mm) (GMS) 109.5mmL x 80.5m W x 38.5mmT 0.1 3.0 1.0 34.0 7.9 0.1 1.5 0.1 1.6 2.5 6.3 12.8 3.0 8.9 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.4 0.4 0.4 4.2 21.8 4 67.1 4.7 4.6 0.1 0.1 1.2 0.1 522.7 102.2 179.3 4.3 25.7 19.7 18.0 1060.4 130 ATTACHMENT A: SITE AND ISOLATE LOCATIONS Resources are: plotted on a portion of the USGS 7.5' La Quinta, California topographic quadrangle (1959, photorevised 1980). 131 97 ITEM #C HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT DATE: MAY 24, 1999 ITEM: CULTURAL RESOURCES GUIDELINES: CURATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES BACKGROUNDr Staff has researched and prepared the attached Curation guidelines for inclusion in the City's Cultural Resources Guidelines. In order to tailor the Curation guidelines to the needs of the City, while complying with state and federal requirements, staff consulted the following documents: 1. State of California Guidelines for the Curation of Archeological Collections (May 7, 1993). 2. Treatment of Archeological Properties: A Handbook. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (November 1980). 3. Unversity of California Riverside Archaeological Curation Unit -Policies and Procedures for the Curation of Archaeological Collections (Draft). (September 1996). 4. City of San Diego Historical Resources Guidelines (November 1997). The proposed curation guidelines include sections explaining the Purpose, Authority, Applicability, Definitions, Assembling Collections, and Selection of Repositories. Each section offers a discussion focused on the curation requirements and needs of the City and standard professional curation practices today. Some sections of the guidelines have specific requirements, while other sections make reference in whole or part to other documents. Introduction: The! introductory comments state the basic curation goal and requirements. Purpose: This section introduces the curation guidelines and explains why curation is necessary. Authority: This section discusses the federal, state, and local authority for the City to develop local curation guidelines. The local authority to develop these guidelines is given by Title 7 (Historic Preservation) of the La Quinta Municipal Code. P:\LESLI E\hpaptCuratio n4-15-99.wpd IUD- Applicabil�: This section identifies what type of cultural resources are subject to the curation guidelines. Selection of Repositories: This final section states that archaeological collections are to be curated at qualified repositories, within the City or local area. Possible qualified repositories (or future repositories) within the Coachella Valley and local region are identified. The general types of curation arrangements are listed with a brief explanation of what they are. Special attention is given to curation of human remains. DISCUSSION: The Palm Springs Desert Museum is a qualified repository, but does not have available space. It has not yet been determined if the La Quinta Historical Museum and the Coachella Valley Historical Society Museum meet the qualifications requirements. The Agua Caliente Cultural Center and Cabezon Cultural Museum have not yet been constructed. The Agua Caliente Cultural Center may plan for available curatorial space, but does not anticipate that it will be available for approximately 2.5 years. Currently, the only qualified repository in the local regions is the Archaeological Curation Unit (ACU), operated by UC, Riverside The ACU will accept collections on a permanent or temporary basis. Staff recommends a temporary solution to the City's curation needs would be to designate that all archaeological collections from La Quinta be temporarily placed at the ACU, with the agreement that when a qualified repository is available in the City of La Quinta, or the Coachella Valley, that the collections be transferred. This requirement can be made a condition of acceptance of archaeological reports and/or project approvals. RECOMMENDATION_ Recommend to the City Council approval of Cultural Resources Guidelines: Curation of Archaeological Resources. Attachment: 1. Cultural Resources Guidelines: Curation of Archaeological Resources Prepared by: Submitted by: e��e Mounquan?�Assc ate Planner Christine di lorio, Planr ing Manager P:\LESLI E\hperptCuration4-15-99.wpd 133 City of La Quinta CULTURAL RESOURCES GUIDELINES: CURATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES May 24, 1999 PALESLIE\curation-revised5-24-99. wpd _t 3� INTRODUCTION It is the goal of the City of La Quinta to retain cultural and archaeological resources within the local area, if not within the City of La Quinta. The City of La Quinta does not, at this time, have a qualified repository within its boundaries. In the future, qualified repositories may be provided that will enable artifacts and collections to remain in the City. Until such time as the City has a qualified repository, all archaeological collections shall be curated at the Archaeological Curation Unit (ACU), administered by the University of California, at Riverside, under a custodial agreement, with all curatorial fees paid by the applicant/developer/property owner. Ownership of the artifacts shall be transferred to the City by written agreement prior to curation. This requirement shall be made a condition of project approval. For projects sponsored by the City of La Quinta, the City shall be responsible for payment of the curatorial fees. Once the City of La Quinta has a qualified repository, all collections that have been curated with the ACU shall be transferred to the City's facility, where they will be curated in perpetuity. PURPOSE The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure that artifacts and archaeological materials and associated documentation are preserved and managed adequately so that future generations might use them to enhance cultural traditions, conduct scientific research, and provide educational and heritage appreciation programs. AUTHORITY These guidelines apply to archaeological collections and associated records and documents created pursuant to federal and state environmental laws and regulations such as the California Environmental Quality Act (1970 Cal. Stats. 1433, as amended), the CEQA Guidelines promulgated by the Secretary of Resources, and the guidelines for archaeological resources promulgated by the Office of Historic Preservation, or by investigations conducted for legitimate scientific and educational purposes. Guidelines established by the State Historical Resources Commission pursuant to their authority in the Public Resources Code, Section 5020.5(b), have been incorporated in whole, part, or by reference in this document, where applicable. The local authority to develop these curatorial guidelines is given by Title 7 (Historic Preservation) of the La Quinta Municipal Code. Section 7.04.030 identifies the duties of the City's Historic Preservation Commission, which include acting in an advisory capacity to the City Council and Planning Commission in all matters relating to the identification, protection, retention, and preservation of historic areas and sites within the City. The commission is responsible for cooperating with local, county, tribal, P:\LESLIE\curation-revised 5-24-99.wpd state and federal governments in the pursuit of the objectives of historic resource preservation, including curation. APPLICABILITY Archaeological collections and their associated records that are created by compliance with state environmental laws, regulations, and guidelines must be housed at qualified repositories that have the capability to ensure adequate permanent storage, security, and access to qualified researchers. Any repository providing curatorial services for a collection created pursuant to state laws or local government requirements must possess a collection policy and management plan that insures the capability to provide adequate permanent curatorial services. In addition, a repository must also safeguard and preserve the associated records and materials that are deposited in its care. SELECTION OF REPOSITORIES Archaeological collections shall be curated only at qualified repositories, i.e., those that meet or exceed the guidelines contained in the State of California Guidelines for the Curation of Archeological Collections, dated May 7, 1993. For collections that originate from projects that are subject to federal requirements, compliance with federal curation requirements is required in accordance with 36 CFR Part 800, as amended, and as approved by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Choosing a qualified repository that will serve as the storage facility for a collection should include considerations of locality, heritage concerns, and research emphasis. Generally, collections should remain within the region from which the cultural resources were found. To ensure ready access to site -specific collections, a collection should remain together, rather than portions of the collection curated at multiple facilities. Similarly, consideration should be given to keeping Native American or other ethnic group's ceremonially or event related items together, rather than accessioned separately. Curation of Human Remains The curation of human remains is subject to specific federal and state laws, to which the City of La Quinta must adhere. Procedures for the consideration of human remains are found in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Section 15064.5 (d). The ACU P li i s and Procedures for the Curation of Archaeological Collections, dated September 1996, provides general information and specific guidelines for preparation and documentation of a collection, required archival mediums, a policy on access, and PALESLIE\curation-revised 5-24-99.wpd 136 a statement regarding the responsibilities of the facility. In general, acceptable curation arrangements may include, but are not necessarily limited to: 1 . Permanent storage at a local research center or appropriate local public or private repository meeting current state and federal standards, provided reasonable access is guaranteed for future study. 2. Return to private owners where private rights so require, after description, study, and analysis in accordance with the data recovery plan are complete. 3. Loan or lease to public or private parties, after description, study, and analysis in accordance with the data recovery plan are complete, provided access for future study and proper care of the: specimens can be expected. 4. Return of specimens having religious or cultural significance to practitioners of the religion of cultural institutions in question, after description, study, and analysis in accordance with the data recovery plan are complete. PALES LIE\cu rati on -revised 5-24-99. wpd 131